- 219
Mela Muter
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Mela Muter
- The Writer Georg Polti
- signed Muter upper left; inscribed G. Polti upper right
- oil on canvas
- 90 by 72cm., 35½ by 28¼in
Provenance
Private Collection (acquired circa 1990)
Sale: Sotheby's, London, 18 May 2011, lot 27
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner
Sale: Sotheby's, London, 18 May 2011, lot 27
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner
Literature
Robert Rey, 'Mela Muter', in Art et Décoration, 1927, pp. 65-72, illustrated
Condition
The canvas has not been lined. There is a second composition on the reverse, which appears to be part of another portrait. Ultraviolet light reveals scattered signs of retouching, notably a circa 1cm square spot below the sitter's left eye (patched on the reverse), scattered strokes in the background in the upper left and right quadrants and along the framing edges in the upper-left corner, and strokes in his jacket. Some of the fluorescing in the dark pigments of his jacket appears to be the artist's original pigments and not retouching. This painting is overall in good condition.
Held in a simple white-painted carved wood frame.
The catalogue illustration is overall an accurate representation of the painting, although the colours are slightly less red in reality.
"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
Painted circa 1919-1920.
Born in 1868, George Polti was a French writer best known for his List of 36 Dramatic Situations (1900), in which he categorised every dramatic situation that might occur in a story or performance. To do this, he analysed classical Greek as well as historical and contemporary French texts. He also wrote The Art of Inventing Characters (1922).
Born in 1868, George Polti was a French writer best known for his List of 36 Dramatic Situations (1900), in which he categorised every dramatic situation that might occur in a story or performance. To do this, he analysed classical Greek as well as historical and contemporary French texts. He also wrote The Art of Inventing Characters (1922).