Albert Paris von Gütersloh

Private Collection, Israel
Private Collection, Israel (acquired from the above circa 1970)
Private Collection, United Kingdom (acquired from the above circa 1997)
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Budapest, Müvészház, Bund Österreichischer Künstler és Gustav Klimt, 1913, n.40

The canvas is lined. UV examination reveals small areas of retouching in places. Otherwise, this work is in overall good condition. Colours: Overall fairly accurate in the printed catalogue, though the blue and green pigments are slightly brighter in the original.
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Albert Paris von Gütersloh's Portrait of Felix Albrecht Harta is an exciting rediscovery. The portrait was part of von Gütersloh's contribution to the 'Gustav Klimt und der Bund Österreichischer Künstler' exhibition early in 1913 and was most likely painted when Harta studied cubist painting alongside von Gütersloh in Paris under the tutelage of Maurice Denis.

Von Gütersloh captures the gesticulating Harta through the refractive lens of Cubist influences and the precedent of Cézanne. A year later the artist expressed the wish to improve his composition of colours, which is visible in the artwork. Almost experimental in application, Von Gütersloh gradually builds colour depth in the darker blue hues of the sitter's jacket. These tones, which he places next to unexpected bursts of yellows and lilac, offset the otherwise monochromatic background and give the painting a distinctly novel appearance.