- 38
Man Ray
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 EUR
bidding is closed
Description
- Man Ray
- FEATHERWEIGHT/POIDS PLUME
- signed Man Ray, dated 1965, titled featherweight poids plume and numbered 6/10
- painted lead and pheasant feathers
- foldered lead: 12,7 x 24 cm ; 5 x 9 1/2 in.
- overall height (including feathers): 27 cm; 10 5/8 in.
Provenance
Luciano Anselmino, Galleria Il Fauno, Turin (acquired directly from the artist)
Acquired from the above by the present owner circa 1970
Acquired from the above by the present owner circa 1970
Literature
Man Ray, Oggetti d’affezione, Milan, 1970, no. 95, illustration of the 1960 example
Jean-Hubert Martin, Rosalind Krauss & Brigitte Hermann, Man Ray: Objets de mon affection, Sculptures et Objets, Catalogue raisonné, Paris, 1983, no. 134, illustration of the 1960 example p. 110
Jean-Hubert Martin, Rosalind Krauss & Brigitte Hermann, Man Ray: Objets de mon affection, Sculptures et Objets, Catalogue raisonné, Paris, 1983, no. 134, illustration of the 1960 example p. 110
Condition
Painted lead with pheasant feathers; all original elements are intact. There are some pigment losses in places, primarily to the lower left corner, the lower right edge and to the folded part of the upper left edge. There are some horizontal lines of surface abrasion across the centre of the element. There is some very minor loss to the edges of the feathers, consistent with age and handling. There is some surface dirt and this work could benefit from a light clean. 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
Featherweight, or Poids Plume, is a humorous object whereby Man Ray tricks the viewer with its title suggesting that the object would likely be light in weight. The viewer would be surprised by its heaviness, achieved by its base, a folded sheet of lead painted to resemble paper.
"Several years ago I saw an obviously very old manuscript, greyed by dust and years, lying in the corner of his studio. An old quill was still sticking to it. I grabbed the frail thing, but my hand got stuck in mid-air. Man Ray had tricked my vision. It weighed about four kilo, a folded piece of lead. He inscribed it for me with its true name 'featherweight'". (Hans Richter, "Private Notes for and on Man Ray", Man Ray, 1966, exh. cat., Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1966, p. 39).