Giorgio Morandi

Galleria Annunciata, Milan

Galleria del Naviglio, Milan

G.F. Maselli, Milan

Galleria La Tavolozza, Palermo

Principe di Galati, Palermo

Luciano Pistoi, Rome

Private Collection, Bologna

Galleria Marescalchi, Bologna

Acquired from the above in 2001

Rome, Studio d’Arte Campaiola, Morandi nelle raccolte romane, 2003

Lamberto Vitali, Morandi, Catalogo generale, Milan, 1977, vol. II, n. 646, illustrated

Excellent condition. Original canvas. Under UV light, no evidence of retouching.
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.
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Painted at the height of his artistic career, Natura morta from 1948 exemplifies the artist’s investigation into the spatial relationships between everyday objects. The juxtaposition of different colors and shapes and the spatial relationships formed between them give the composition its subtle yet dynamic quality. The deliberate play between what is known and what can only be guessed at goes to the heart of Morandi’s fascination with the visible world. Increasingly he became absorbed in creating permutations of the same objects and similar leitmotifs are repeated time and again. The delicate curvature of the bottles gives the composition a sense of grace and classical beauty, while at the same time providing a dynamic contrast with the straight-edged objects behind them.

Like others of his generation, Morandi looked at the Italian art of the early Renaissance with fresh eyes, simultaneously conscious of the legacy of tradition as well as the regional and rustic aspects of the Italian cultural heritage. Additionally vital was the legacy of Cézanne, whose intense focus on reality and individual way of seeing encouraged Morandi to discover the simple geometric solidity of everyday objects. This was to become his subject, although his style moved through several very distinct phases. The objects, invariably household items such as bottles, jars, pitchers and bowls, were laid out with the calculated precision of a classical composition, yet the way in which they are painted establishes their presence as self-contained forms in space.