- 171
Kurt Schwitters
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description
- Kurt Schwitters
- Das Grab des Alves Bäsenstiel (The Grave of Alves Bäsenstiel)
- signed K. Schwitters, dated 1919, titled and inscribed Aq. 29 on the artist's mount (lower right)
- watercolour and black crayon on paper affixed to the artist's mount
- sheet: 21.2 by 17.5cm., 8 3/8 by 6 7/8 in.
- artist's mount: 35.4 by 29.5cm., 14 by 11 5/8 in.
Provenance
Private Collection, Cologne (possibly acquired directly from the artist)
Thence by descent to the present owner in 1954
Thence by descent to the present owner in 1954
Condition
Executed on cream wove paper, not laid down and fixed to the artist's mount with pieces of newspaper along all for edges. The artist's mount is taped to the overmount along the centre of the upper edge. The sheet is time stained. Both sheet and artist's mount are gently undulating. There is an isolated spot of foxing to the centre of the sheet and a few further spots of foxing to the artist's mount. The edges of the artist's mount have discoloured due to mount staining, not visible when framed. This work is in overall 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. 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
The present work appears to relate to Kurt Schwitter's fictional character of Alves Bäsenstiel in the artist's first important prose story Die Zwiebel: Merzgedicht 8 (The Onion: Merzpoem 8) published in the magazine 'Der Sturm' in 1919. Alves Bäsenstiel or 'Elvis Broomstick' is the narrator and character, whose body is executed by a butcher and reassembled once it is discovered that his eyes have poisoned the carnivorous King. A Dadaist text, the piece can also be seen as commentary on Germany's political situation. The previous lot, may possibly relate to this text.