Rudolf Stingel

Sadie Coles, London
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Condition: This work is in very good condition. There are few faint and unobtrusive finger marks on the extreme edges of the composition; two above the centre of the bottom edge, and one below the centre of the left edge. There is a light 1cm rub mark 30cm above the lower right corner, all of which are only visible upon close inspection. Colour: The colours is the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is more textured and vibrant, with the background tending more towards a polished brass, and the enamel pattern towards pearl white.
"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."

Untitled is a dazzling example of Rudolf Stingel’s most iconic series: a brilliantly shimmering surface that seems to allude to astral planes in its repeating star motif. The purity of the gold gleams with glorious intensity, imbuing its surroundings with a sense of warmth and radiance. The overall effect is one of opulence and luxury: a work that denotes abundance and riches in equal measure. Created through a mixture of oil and enamel on canvas, the glimmering effect is instantly recognisable as being the work of Stingel’s masterful hand, and is undoubtedly one of the most scintillating patterns to have ever been created by the artist.

Untitled, alongside similar works by Stingel, arguably transcends the concept of traditional painting: neither abstract nor strictly objective, the image is devoted to pure pattern as an art form in itself. Michelle Grabner reinforces this idea, declaring that: ”Stingel has made a career dancing around the idea of painting. He skirts its authority by looking at its components, its physical identity, its visual language and its history. Representation, abstraction, process, pattern, performance, subjectivity and the audience are all his subjects.” (Michelle Grabner, "Rudolf Stingel, Museum of Contemporary Art," in: Frieze Magazine, 14/04/07, n.p.). Whilst the motif invites associations with the repeated shapes found within wallpaper, the unfamiliar context into which the pattern has been placed enigmatically calls into question the very nature of our perception and awareness. There is an inherent sense of wit and irony underlying Stingel’s entire oeuvre: in 1989 the artist published a treatise in which he outlined the methods used to create his distinctive works, theoretically enabling the population at large to make their own ‘version’ of his masterpieces. Yet, despite this de-mystification of the creative process, Stingel’s works arouse a unique sensation of wonder and awe within the viewer due to their sheer splendour and exquisite decorative beauty; qualities which are magnificently epitomised within Untitled.