Karel Appel

Acquired by the grandfather of the present owner in the early 1950s

Some buckling of the canvas. some paint cracks mainly in the white parts of the paint and there are two small areas with some small spots of paint loss; one along the upper part of the right leg and one along the lower part of the small head. Otherwise this work is in good 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. 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."

Having suffered the terrors of Second World War, Karel Appel was not only actuated by political ideas, which often had their roots in Marxism, but also cried for artistic freedom. He found inspiration in the drawings of children, the mentally ill and the primitive, unspoiled cultures, as can be seen in the present  pré- CoBra work. The painting shows, with a whirl of colour, a dizziness of the line, a complete control of the brush, a synonym for a powerful expressionist artistic trend combining figurative and abstract tendencies and with its pure red and green colours strongly reminiscent of Asger Jorn's work during the final years of the war.