- 263
Henri Degroux
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- Henri Degroux
- la mort de siegfried
- signed and dated HENRY DE GROUX / 1899 lower right
- oil on canvas
- 120.5 by 151cm., 47½ by 59½in.
Provenance
Sale: Christie's, London, 1 December 1989, lot 1064
Paul-Loup Sulitzer, France (his sale: Paris, Binoche & Godeau, 4 December 1995, lot 54)
Exhibited
Tokyo, Shibuya, Symbolist Exhibition, 1970, no. 15-1
Vienna, Kunstforum, Der Kuss der Sphinx: Symbolismus in Belgien, 2007-2008, no. 83, illustrated in the catalogue
Vienna, Kunstforum, Der Kuss der Sphinx: Symbolismus in Belgien, 2007-2008, no. 83, illustrated in the catalogue
Literature
Philippe Jullian ed., French Symbolist Painters: Moreau, Puvis de Chavannes, Redon and their followers, London, 1972, p. 60, mentioned
Flammarion ed., ABCdaire du Smbolisme et de l'Art Nouveau, Paris, p. 114, illustrated
Michael Gibson, Symbolism, Cologne, 2006, p. 105, illustrated
Flammarion ed., ABCdaire du Smbolisme et de l'Art Nouveau, Paris, p. 114, illustrated
Michael Gibson, Symbolism, Cologne, 2006, p. 105, illustrated
Condition
Original canvas. There are a few very minor scattered areas of retouching visible under ultraviolet light, notably a spot of infilling to the extreme lower right edge. This work is in very good condition, with fresh colours and strong impasto, and ready to hang. Held in a decorative, gold-painted moulded plaster and wood frame.
"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
The present work depicts the death of Siegfried as it occurs in act III of Wagner's fourth opera from Der Ring, Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods).
Like many Symbolist painters, Degroux was a great admirer of Wagner. Following a pilgrimage to Bayreuth in 1896, Degroux executed a number of portraits of Wagner, and painted a series of works inspired by his Ring der Nibelungen, including Sieglinde et Siegmund, Fafner, La Chevauchée des Walkyres and the present work.
Like many Symbolist painters, Degroux was a great admirer of Wagner. Following a pilgrimage to Bayreuth in 1896, Degroux executed a number of portraits of Wagner, and painted a series of works inspired by his Ring der Nibelungen, including Sieglinde et Siegmund, Fafner, La Chevauchée des Walkyres and the present work.