- 131
Gustav Klimt
Estimate
120,000 - 180,000 USD
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Description
- Gustav Klimt
- Stehender Halkbakt mit verdecktem Gesicht von vorne (Semi-Nude Woman Standing with Her Face Covered, Seen From the Front)
- Stamped faintly the Nachlass stamp (lower right)
- Blue crayon and pencil on paper
- 21 7/8 by 14 1/2 in.
- 55.5 by 36.9 cm
Provenance
(Probably) Fritz & Grete Blaskopf, Vienna & London
Peter Spelman & Alexandra Aldham (grandchildren of the above), England (and sold: Sotheby's, London, December 5, 1985, lot 549)
Acquired at the above sale by A. Alfred Taubman
Peter Spelman & Alexandra Aldham (grandchildren of the above), England (and sold: Sotheby's, London, December 5, 1985, lot 549)
Acquired at the above sale by A. Alfred Taubman
Literature
Alice Strobl, Gustav Klimt, Die Zeichnungen Nachtrag 1878-1918, vol. IV, Salzburg, 1989, no. 3601, illustrated p. 161
Condition
Executed on cream wove paper, not laid down. Sheet is hinged to a mount on the reverse of the upper two corners. There is a very slight waviness to the sheet and some minor time darkening. Some skimming to the sheet on verso towards center of the lower edge, otherwise fine. This work is in excellent 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
An example of Klimt’s elegant and refined drawing style, Stehender Halkbakt mit verdecktem Gesicht von vorne was executed as a study for the artist’s celebrated Judith II (Salome). The theme was one that evidently intrigued the artist as he had previously approached the subject in his 1901 painting Judith I. In the second version Schiele recalls the biblical story more directly, showing the head of Holofernes hanging loosely from Judith’s arm. His depiction of her is also more expressive, as she leans forward with her contorted body suggesting a sense of anguish and dismay.
In preparation for this painting Schiele produced a series of drawings that show his model in various postures and various stages of undress (Alice Strobl in Gustav Klimt, Die Zeichnungen Nachtrag 1904-1912, vol. II, Salzburg, 1982, nos. 1695-1705). In the present work, the lavishly detailed dress that lies fallen around its wearer in the oil remains intact. The focus is on the pose of the model, who hides her face from view with her head in her hand. The drawings show a gradual progression between this fully-clothed incarnation and the state of undress that Klimt ultimately settled on. Capturing this process with a real vivacity, the present work offers a privileged insight into Klimt’s working practice.