- 67
Mela Muter
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description
- Mela Muter
- Count Mihály Károlyi
- signed Muter upper left
- oil on canvas
- 117 by 89cm., 46 by 35in.
Provenance
Count Mihály Károlyi, the sitter (acquired from the artist); thence by descent to the present owners
Exhibited
Pittsburgh, Carnegie Institute; St. Louis, City Art Museum; Twenty-Eighth International Exhibition of Paintings, 1929, no. 206 (Pittsburgh); no. 69 (St. Louis)
Condition
The canvas has not been lined, and has been extended by the artist circa 10cm along the lower edge. Under ultraviolet light there are some pigments, primarily in the background, which fluoresce however these certainly appear to be the artist's original and not retouching. This work is in very good original condition, with well-preserved impasto, and ready to hang.
Presented in a silver-gilt frame.
"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 in 1928.
An opponent of the First World War, Count Mihály Ádám György Miklós Károlyi de Nagykároly (1875-1955) became leader of Hungary following the Aster Revolution of October 1918. Successively Prime Minister, and then President of the short-lived Hungarian Democratic Republic, Károlyi's leadership was rocked by the turbulent events arising from the punitive armistice terms following his country's defeat in the war, and economic instability following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After the resignation of his Prime Minister Dénes Berinkey, Károlyi's position became untenable and in July 1919 he went into exile in France.
It was during Count Károlyi's exile that Mela Muter, a fellow Eastern European émigrée in France, painted the present work, a powerful and psychologically penetrating study with a monumentalism which had already characterised her work since before the First World War. Count Karolyi is dignified and relaxed as if in discussion. The background is purposefully simple, adding to Károlyi's commanding presence.
An opponent of the First World War, Count Mihály Ádám György Miklós Károlyi de Nagykároly (1875-1955) became leader of Hungary following the Aster Revolution of October 1918. Successively Prime Minister, and then President of the short-lived Hungarian Democratic Republic, Károlyi's leadership was rocked by the turbulent events arising from the punitive armistice terms following his country's defeat in the war, and economic instability following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After the resignation of his Prime Minister Dénes Berinkey, Károlyi's position became untenable and in July 1919 he went into exile in France.
It was during Count Károlyi's exile that Mela Muter, a fellow Eastern European émigrée in France, painted the present work, a powerful and psychologically penetrating study with a monumentalism which had already characterised her work since before the First World War. Count Karolyi is dignified and relaxed as if in discussion. The background is purposefully simple, adding to Károlyi's commanding presence.