Lot 97
  • 97

Jawad Salim

Estimate
70,000 - 90,000 GBP
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Description

  • Jawad Salim
  • Portrait Of A Girl
  • signed
  • oil on canvas
  • Executed circa 1950.

Provenance

Acquired directly from the artist in 1950
Private Collection
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 1998

Literature

Jabra Ibrahim Jabra, The Grass Roots of Iraqi Art, Jersey 1983, p. 21, illustrated in colour

Condition

Condition: This work is in relatively good condition. There are some losses at the very edges of the canvas and some craqueleure at the face of the figure.
"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

A decisive figure in Iraq's modern art movement, Jawad Selim's passion in life was painting and sculpture. His capacity to create remarkable sculptures and paintings inevitably had an impact on the development of Iraqi modernism, matched only by Faik Hassan (lot 100). Selim always expressed a strong ambition to be a part of the movement which would reassert national self-esteem and help build a distinctive Iraqi artistic identity. The present work is one of the earliest to be sold by Selim, and is the only realistic portrait to have been offered at auction.

The earliest influences on Selim's painting style came during his stay in Paris in 1938 and then Rome a year later in 1939. After the outbreak of World War II, Selim was unable to stay in Europe longer and had to return to Baghdad. However, by visiting museums and being introduced to artists in Europe, he was inspired to experiment and exercise all of the dynamic avenues he had encountered during his time there.

Selim's sudden death in 1961 was a great loss for Iraq and marked the end of the first phase of the Iraqi modern movement.  Although Selim's life was cut short bringing to an end this formative period, many inspired young artists continued to follow his example, exploring subjective approaches and using innovative techniques.