- 59
Celan, Paul.
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Autograph manuscript of the poem "Unter ein Bild", unrecorded in the historical-critical edition of Celan's works
- INK ON PAPER
written in black ink, with autograph title ("Unter ein Bild von Vincent van Gogh"), 1 page, c. 14.5 x 20.8cm, no place or date [Paris, before 29 July 1955?], central vertical fold, some light creasing, tiny stain
...Rabenüberschwärmte Weizenwoge
Welchen Himmels Blau? Des untern? Obern?
Später Pfeil, der von der Seele schnellte.
Stärkres Schwirren. Nähres Glühen. Beide Welten.
...Rabenüberschwärmte Weizenwoge
Welchen Himmels Blau? Des untern? Obern?
Später Pfeil, der von der Seele schnellte.
Stärkres Schwirren. Nähres Glühen. Beide Welten.
Literature
Timothy Bahti, 'A Minor Form and Its Inversions: The Image, the Poem, the Book in Celan's "Unter ein Bild"', MLN, vol.110, no.3 (April 1995), pp.565-578; see Paul Celan Werke. Historisch-Kritische Ausgabe, I. Abteilung/Band 5,2 (Frankfurt, 2002), pp.107 and 109 (sources H2c, H4 and H3)
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Celan's short poem, the present manuscript of which we understand was sent to an unknown recipient in Vienna, is a stunning realization in poetry of Vincent van Gogh's painting "Wheatfield with Crows" (1890). The manuscript of the poem (which is a famous example of literary ekphrasis, the verbal representation of a visual work of art) - is undoubtedly a very early fixing of the text, corresponding in some features both to sources H4 and H3 in the Celan historical-critical edition, both of which predate the earliest dated source (H2c, dated 29 July 1955). "Unter ein Bild" (the reference to Van Gogh now expunged) was published first in the literary publication Akzente in 1956, later in Celan's 1959 collection Sprachgitter.