Lot 28
  • 28

Alice Rahon (1916-1987)

Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 USD
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Description

  • Alice Rahon
  • Los cuatro hijos del arcoiris
  • signed lower left
  • 38 1/8 by 51 1/8 in.
  • (96.7 by 129.7 cm)
  • Painted in 1960.
oil and sand on canvas

Provenance

Acquired from the artist by the previous owner (circa 1963)
Private Collection, Mexico City

Condition

The impasto areas all appear to be in stable condition and overall this work appears to be 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.

Catalogue Note

Alice Rahon came to Mexico in 1939 with her husband, German painter Wolfgang Paalen at the invitation of Diego Rivera. Paalen, César Moro and André Breton organized the groundbreaking 1940 International Surrealist exhibition held at the Galería de Arte Mexicano which included works by Max Ernst, Yves Tanguy, Victor Brauner, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Salvador Dalí, Rene Magritte, Wassily Kandinsky, Oscar Domínguez, Matta, Alberto Giacometti, Frida Kahlo, Hans Bellmer, Marcel Duchamp and André Masson. The Paalens soon became an active part of the émigré Surrealist artist group which fled Paris at the start of World War II, taking refuge in Mexico City.

Rahon had been a published poet in Paris and once in Mexico, she began to paint, developing an abstract lyrical style which combined primitive signs in landscapes infused with a playful spiritual quality reminiscent of Joan Miró and Paul Klee. Rahon and Paalen were later divorced and Rahon remained in Mexico City, immersing herself in the energetic artistic community there that included Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo and  Kati Horna.