Lot 43
  • 43

Christo

Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 GBP
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Description

  • Christo
  • The Pont Neuf, Wrapped (Project for Paris)
  • i. signed, titled and dated 1979
  • pencil, pastel, fabric, twine, charcoal, crayon, string and printed map on board, in two parts
  • i. 28 by 71.1 cm. 11 by 28 in.
  • ii. 55.9 by 71.1 cm. 22 by 28 in.

Provenance

Galerie Vedovi, Brussels
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Condition

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the paper tone in both panels tends more towards cream in the original. The blue in the first panel is lighter and brighter and the blue in the second panel is deeper and richer. There is more contrast in the second panel and the catalogue illustration further fails to convey the three-dimensionality of the collaged elements visible in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. All collaged elements are stable. Very close inspection reveals some slightly discoloured glue residue in isolated places in both panels, which is in keeping with the material's natural ageing process. Further very close inspection reveals some evidence of very light wear to the paper along the edges.
"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

"My projects appropriate or borrow spaces which usually do not belong to sculpture... The Pont-Neuf Wrapped was borrowing or appropriating one of the most successful urban designs in the history of Paris. And that urban dimension became part of the art."
Christo
in conversation with Masahiko Yanagi, in: Exh. Cat., Nice, Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain, Christo, 1989, pp. 197-198

Conceptual duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude are universally known for their large and enigmatic site-specific works and are widely acknowledged as the great masters of environmental art. For over 48 years the dynamic pair worked together to reimagine and modify landscapes across the globe from Australian harbours and Japanese inland valleys to the Berlin Reichstag by temporarily wrapping them in coloured cloth. Contributing to the collective memory of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s oeuvres are Christo’s sketches which go beyond the notion of preliminary designs for the artists to become works of art in their own right. Executed in 1979, The Pont Neuf, Wrapped (Project for Paris) is an exquisite visual record of the temporary covering of the most iconic bridge of Paris in a silk-like polyamide golden dress.

Le Pont Neuf stands as the oldest bridge of Paris, taking a central part in Parisian culture for centuries. Its birth spanned over three decades and was rooted in political unrest and religious turmoil at the turn of the Sixteenth Century. By draping the landmark, Christo and Jeanne-Claude appear to be using the cultural and historical association of the bridge to comment on the political unrest France suffered during the 1960s and 1970s. The wrapping itself becomes a metaphor for healing and re-building society together through art. Furthermore, by exploring Le Pont Neuf, Christo and Jeanne-Claude enter the long standing list of artists including Tuner, Renoir and Picasso who have used the Parisian bridge as artistic inspiration.

The use of a public space and drapery allows the viewer to interact with the piece from different angles and perspectives transforming the sight of Le Pont Neuf into an unfamiliar and new structure. Jeanne-Claude and Christo’s works are temporary but the memories often remain for decades. The present lot is a testament to the ephemeral installation that illuminated Paris for fourteen days in 1985, revealing unique views of Paris and its historical identity.