Lot 19
  • 19

Václav Špála

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description

  • Václav Špála
  • Thunderstorm by the River Otava (BOUŘE U OTAVY)
  • signed and dated V. Špála 30 lower left, signed and numbered 521 on the reverse
  • oil on canvas
  • 88 by 115cm., 34½ by 45¼in.
  • 88 x 115 cm

Provenance

Tony Subal, Kunsthandel Gallery, Vienna
Purchased from the above on 6 April 1998

Exhibited

Vienna, Exhibition of Czechoslovak Art, 1933-1934, no. 703
Prague, Galerie S.V.U. Mánes, V. Špála, 1935
Prague, Galerie S.V.U. Mánes, V. Špála, 1941
Prague, Galerie S.V.U. Mánes, V. Špála, 1947, no. 67
Pilsen, Gallery of West Bohemia, Václav Špála, 1965
Greenwich, Connecticut, Bruce Museum, The Pleasures of Collecting: Part II, Modern and Contemporary Art, 2003

Literature

Volné směry, 1933-1934, p. 224
Jiří Hlušička, The Hascoe Collection of Czech Modern Art, Prague, 2004, p. 27, mentioned; pp. 195-196, no. P66, catalogued; p. 158, pl. 144, illustrated

Condition

Original canvas. There are no signs of retouching visible under ultra-violet light. Apart from fine craquelure throughout thsi 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."

Catalogue Note

Painted in 1930.

Špála joined the Group of Fine Artists in 1911. Considered the most Fauve of his generation, his Cubo-Expressionist style is marked by the use of dynamic simple forms, in intense red and blue tones, as evident in the present work and lot 32. In 1918 he became a co-founder of a new group of artists Tvrdošíjní (The Stubborn Ones).