- 377
Max Ernst
Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Max Ernst
- Nu allongé et personnages
- signed indistinctly Max Ernst (lower right)
- oil on canvas
- 20.5 by 25.5cm., 8 by 10in.
Provenance
Paul Sacher, Switzerland
Sale: Galerie Kornfeld, Bern, 17th June 1988, lot 49
Fuji Television Gallery, Tokyo (purchased at the above sale; sale: Sotheby's, London, 24th June 2003, lot 167)
Purchased at the above sale by the present owners
Sale: Galerie Kornfeld, Bern, 17th June 1988, lot 49
Fuji Television Gallery, Tokyo (purchased at the above sale; sale: Sotheby's, London, 24th June 2003, lot 167)
Purchased at the above sale by the present owners
Exhibited
Okazaki, Okazaki City Museum & Wakayama, Museum of Modern Art, Max Ernst, 2001, no. 1-22, p. 46
Condition
The canvas is not lined and there do not appear to be any signs of retouching visible under UV light. Apart from a faint horizontal stretcher bark mark towards the upper edge and slight undulation to the canvas, this work is in overall very good original 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. 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
"What is a forest? A marvellous insect. A drawing board. What do forests do? They never go to bed early. They wait for the woodcutter. When do good times come for forests? In the future: The season when pools of shadow are transformed into words, when beings with the power of speech are proud enough to seek for midnight at any time. ... And man, what position did he occupy? Man and the nightingale were in the best position to fantasise: in the forest, they found an ideal guide for their dreams" (Max Ernst, quoted in 'Mysteries of the Forest' in Minotaure, Paris, 12 May 1934).
Nu allongé et personnage shows Ernst using rich texture and strong vibrant colours to enhance the subject matter of his work. Colourful creatures that inhabit forest-like landscapes are used by Ernst as visual metaphors for the feelings of delight and oppression the artist associated with nature. With the use of dramatic perspective, imaginary symbols and a dreamlike atmosphere, the artist strives to portray the mystical relationship between one's inner vision and the outer world, whilst capturing the complicated nature of human relations.
Nu allongé et personnage shows Ernst using rich texture and strong vibrant colours to enhance the subject matter of his work. Colourful creatures that inhabit forest-like landscapes are used by Ernst as visual metaphors for the feelings of delight and oppression the artist associated with nature. With the use of dramatic perspective, imaginary symbols and a dreamlike atmosphere, the artist strives to portray the mystical relationship between one's inner vision and the outer world, whilst capturing the complicated nature of human relations.