- 45
Otakar Svec
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Otakar Svec
- Sunbeam - Motorcyclist (SLUNEČNÍ PAPRSEK - MOTOCYKLISTA)
inscribed O. ŠVEC on the base
- bronze
- height: 119cm., 46 3/4 in; length: 220cm., 86 1/2 in. depth: 47cm., 18½in.
Exhibited
Greenwich, Connecticut, Bruce Museum, The Pleasures of Collecting: Part II, Modern and Contemporary Art, 2003
Literature
Peter Cannon-Brookes, Czech Sculpture 1800-1938, London, 1983, p. 116, fig. 180, another cast illustrated
Czech Modern Art 1900-1960, National Gallery & Trade Fair Palace, Prague, exh. cat., 1995, p. 152, another cast illustrated
Jiří Hlušička, The Hascoe Collection of Czech Modern Art, Prague, 2004, p. 25, mentioned; p. 206, no. S141, catalogued; pp. 126-127, pls. 111 & 112, illustrated
Czech Modern Art 1900-1960, National Gallery & Trade Fair Palace, Prague, exh. cat., 1995, p. 152, another cast illustrated
Jiří Hlušička, The Hascoe Collection of Czech Modern Art, Prague, 2004, p. 25, mentioned; p. 206, no. S141, catalogued; pp. 126-127, pls. 111 & 112, illustrated
Condition
Bronze, dull grey-black patina with a hint of green. There are watermarks overall but notably to the back and base.
"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
Sunbeam Motorcycle is one of the most iconic and well known Futurist sculptures of Otakar Švec. The first cast of 1924 is in the collection of the National Gallery, Prague. When it was displayed at the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris in 1925, the French critics received it with enthusiasm and hailed it as a supremely contemporary expression of sculpture. Švec, on the strength of this success, later went on to create several sports awards showing athletes in motion.
The figure of the motorcyclist enabled Švec to capture movement and motion, whilst at the same time portraying a quintessentially contemporary and modern image.