- 199
Juan Gris
Estimate
250,000 - 350,000 USD
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Description
- Juan Gris
- Nature morte à la cafetière
- Signed Juan Gris, dated Paris 7-17 and inscribed A Dorival de la Comedie Française Bien affectueusement
- Pencil and charcoal on paper
- 18 7/8 by 12 5/8 in.
- 47.9 by 32.1 cm
Provenance
Georges Dorival, Paris (a gift from the artist)
Galerie Billiet-Caputo, Paris
Grosvenor Gallery, London
Acquired from the above in July 1999
Galerie Billiet-Caputo, Paris
Grosvenor Gallery, London
Acquired from the above in July 1999
Condition
Executed on buff colored wove paper affixed to a mount at several places on verso. Artist pinholes at all four corners. Edges are deckled. A small repaired tear at extreme upper right corner, and another 1 cm repaired tear at top edge four inches from upper left corner. One further small repaired tear at extreme right edge towards center. Small spot of evidence of adhesive from a prior mounting at center of bottom edge. Sheet is slightly dirty, otherwise fine. This work is in good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Juan Gris was one of the most important, accomplished and enduring adherents of Cubism, developing an original application of the aesthetic which he maintained for seventeen years. Paz García Ponce de León explains, “Juan Gris is the master of synthetic Cubism, standing well above masters such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. He is now considered ‘the quintessential cubist,’ or, as the sculptor Lipchitz said, simply ‘the cubist,’” (Paz García Ponce de León, Juan Gris: La Pasión por el Cubismo, Madrid, 2008, p. 193).
An early work, Nature morte à la cafetière reflects Picasso and Braque’s influences on Gris’ style as he transitioned into Cubism. Naturalism fades in favor of increasing two-dimensionality and a heightened viewpoint, a compositional device he favored during these years (see fig. 1). The diagonal shading marks different planar levels and contributes to the faceted volumetric effect. This impression of space is dramatized by the forward-tipping table and the flattened bowl, which help underscore the foreshortening employed in the artist’s rendering of household objects. With this work Gris begins to refine one of the fundamental characteristics of his artwork—compositional order and clarity—which would continue to be a focus throughout his career.
An early work, Nature morte à la cafetière reflects Picasso and Braque’s influences on Gris’ style as he transitioned into Cubism. Naturalism fades in favor of increasing two-dimensionality and a heightened viewpoint, a compositional device he favored during these years (see fig. 1). The diagonal shading marks different planar levels and contributes to the faceted volumetric effect. This impression of space is dramatized by the forward-tipping table and the flattened bowl, which help underscore the foreshortening employed in the artist’s rendering of household objects. With this work Gris begins to refine one of the fundamental characteristics of his artwork—compositional order and clarity—which would continue to be a focus throughout his career.