- 2
Louis Marcoussis
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 GBP
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Description
- Louis Marcoussis
- Nature Morte à l'ananas
- signed and dated MARCOUSSIS 1920 upper right; signed and inscribed on the reverse MARCOUSSIS / Nature Morte
- oil, tempera and sand on canvas
- 68.5 by 86cm., 27 by 34in.
Provenance
Galerie Der Sturm
George Antheil (uncle of the present owner, purchased from the above in the early 1920s); thence by descent
George Antheil (uncle of the present owner, purchased from the above in the early 1920s); thence by descent
Exhibited
Brussels, Galerie Sélection, Action, 1920
Berlin, Galerie Der Sturm, 1921 or 1922 (as Nature Morte)
Berlin, Galerie Der Sturm, 1921 or 1922 (as Nature Morte)
Literature
George Antheil, Bad Boy of Music, New York, 1945, pp. 94 & 317, mentioned
Condition
This painting is in good original condition. The canvas has not been lined. As visible in the catalogue illustration, there is a handful of tiny pinhead-sized spots of paint flaking, primarily in the dark pigments towards the centre of the upper edge, and a couple of minor surface scuffs near the right edge. Ultra-violet light reveals no visible signs of retouching (there are some faint strokes of fluoresce in the background which certainly appear to correspond to the artist's pigments, and not retouching).
Presented in a narrow white-painted frame, most probably the original.
Compared with the catalogue illustration, the browns in reality are somewhat richer and less red.
"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
Galerie Der Sturm, where Antheil acquired the present painting, was the gallery where he bought a number of the other works in his collection. But as well as paintings it was through the mediation of the gallery assistant Eva Weinwurstel at Der Sturm in December 1922 that he was introduced to the Hungarian beauty Boski Markus who would become his wife.
Seeking an introduction to Boski whom he had been smitten by when he caught a glimpse of her in a café near the gallery, Antheil persuaded Eva to invite Boski to the premiere of his First Symphony to be performed at the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Schultz von Dornberg. But the occasion proved inauspicious: although his music was well received, Boski failed to join him for his planned post-concert dinner. Interrogating Eva the following day, she replied simply: 'Well... she didn't like your music.' (Antheil, pp. 45-52).
Seeking an introduction to Boski whom he had been smitten by when he caught a glimpse of her in a café near the gallery, Antheil persuaded Eva to invite Boski to the premiere of his First Symphony to be performed at the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Schultz von Dornberg. But the occasion proved inauspicious: although his music was well received, Boski failed to join him for his planned post-concert dinner. Interrogating Eva the following day, she replied simply: 'Well... she didn't like your music.' (Antheil, pp. 45-52).
For another version of the present composition painted on glass, see Jean Lafranchis, Marcoussis, sa vie, son oeuvre, Paris, 1961, no. F37, n.p., illustrated.