Conrad Felixmüller

Galerie Brockstedt, Hamburg
Sale: Christie's, London, 2nd December 1985, lot 32
Purchased at the above sale by the previous owner

Dresden, Akademie der bildenden Künste - Staatliche Gemäldegalerie, Allgemeine Kunstaustellung, 1927, no. 127, illustrated in the catalogue (titled Die Brüder)
Berlin, Berliner Sezession, Frühjahrsausstellung 1927 - Sport - 52. Ausstellung der Berliner Sezession in Verbingdun mit dem Museum für Leibesübungen, 1927, no. 114 (titled Die Söhne des Künstlers)
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Arts Centre, A Retrospective Exhibition of the Works of Conrad Felixmüller 1897-1977, 1982, illustrated in colour in the catalogue
Hamburg, Galerie Brockstedt, Conrad Felixmüller - Gemälde - Aquarelle - Zeichnungen, 1984, no. 15, illustrated in colour in the catalogue

Heinz Spielmann, Conrad Felixmüller, Monographie und Werkverzeichnis der Gemälde, Cologne, 1996, no. 370, illustrated p. 255

The canvas is not lined and UV examination reveals no evidence of retouching. There are some very fine lines of craquelure in places and some flecks of paint losses to the right edge. The canvas is slightly undulated towards the upper left corner. Otherwise, this work Is in overall very good condition. Colours: Overall fairly accurate in the printed catalogue, though the faces are more luminous and the texture more varied in the original.
"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."

A joyful large-scale depiction of Felixmüller's two sons Luca and Titus, the present work gives an insight into the artist's delightful family life, a celebration of the innocence and playfulness of childhood. Felixmüller married Londa, Baroness von Berg, at the end of the war in 1918 and their first child, Luca was born. These two personal events stimulated a momentous change of mood in Felixmüller's paintings: he slowly left behind the political and social criticisms of his earlier works and began to dedicate himself to the depiction of the happy life he shared with his family, his favourite models being his wife Londa and his two sons.

Luca und Titus in Papierhüten, with its highly-textured surface, imposing size, and arranged composition, creates an ambiguous perspective whereby the viewer is invited to look up to the painting, forcing one to inhabit the perspective of the youngest child Titus as he looks up to his older brother. The dramatic perspective, charcterically vibrant palette, and rhythmic textures evoked by the paper hats, the wallpaper, and the zigzagging wooden floor combine to create a truly remarkable work. A snapshot of the joys of youth and the tenderness of family life, this work is a touching portrayal of brotherly care and fatherly love.