Nahum Gutman

Purchased by the great uncle of the present owner
Thence by descent

Overall in good condition. There are a few scattered specks of paint loss and some stabilized tears mainly on the edges as well as one on the sky. There are a few scattered areas of light craquelure and some surface dirt.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Gutman's love affair with the sea and coastline began when he was seven years old arriving by ship from Odessa on the welcoming shores of Jaffa. Throughout the years, the sea remained an indelible and beloved theme in the artist's oeuvre. Gutman explained "When we arrived at the shore of Jaffa the sea hit us with big waves and the foam of the waves nearly reached the deck. The ship came to a halt away from the port... Lightheartedly I threw myself into the outstretched arms of a sailor... I felt as though I was diving for the first time into a magical world, stranger than any I had ever encountered." (Nahum Gutman 1898-1980, exhibition catalogue, The Gutman Museum, Tel Aviv, 2003, p. 119)

From the 1950's to the 1970s the motif of the port became a central element in Gutman's work, evoking his first impressions when he arrived to Eretz Israel. The depictions of the Haifa and Tel Aviv ports from this period are imbued with the sense of joy and vitality he felt as a child. The paintings are beautifully composed, effortlessly combining realism and abstraction with his favorite colors blue and yellow ever-present. The following two works are exceptional examples of Gutman's port scenes.