George Grosz

Georges Grosz Estate (acquired in 1959)
Private Collection, Europe
Galerie Neher, Essen
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1984

Executed on cream wove paper, not laid down, attached to the mount at the upper two corners, and floating in the mount. There are sixteen artist's pinholes running along all four edges and all four edges are deckled. There is a small diagonal crease to the lower left corner. There is one tiny tear to the lower edge, towards the lower left corner, and a further two tiny tears to the right edge. Otherwise, this work is in overall good condition.
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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."

Grosz was immediately struck by the buzzing and dynamic city of New York on his arrival in 1933, first living in Manhattan hotels and a private home in the Village, and eventually settling in a studio and house in Bayside on Long Island in November of that year. The artist would roam the city streets by day and night, filling his sketchbook with the varied scenes he encountered. In the evenings, and later in his studio, Grosz executed large drawings and watercolours such as in the present work.

The Great Depression, that had by now gravely affected the US economy and created a climate of great uncertainty, did not prevent Grosz from depicting a lively and vibrant street scene. At a gas station, a man is handing out US flags for a demonstration or parade, while the vibrant lights plunge us into the reality of the scene: Grosz here marks his definitive arrival in the city of freedom and possibilities.