Lot 144
  • 144

Paul Klee

Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Paul Klee
  • Phÿsiognomisch-"Streng" (Physiognomic-"Severe")
  • Signed Klee (lower right); titled, dated 1930. and numbered B.5. (on the artist's mount)
  • Brush and ink and stencil on paper mounted on card
  • Sheet: 12 3/8 by 10 1/2 in.; 31.4 by 26.6 cm
  • Mount: 20 3/8 by 15 5/8 in.; 51.8 by 39.6 cm

Provenance

Lily Klee, Bern 
Klee-Geseelschaft, Bern (acquired by 1946)
Curt Valentin (Buchholz Gallery), Berlin & New York (acquired by 1948)
Ralph F. Colin, New York
Clifford Odets, New York & Los Angeles (acquired by 1963)
Berggruen & Cie., Paris (acquired from the estate of the above by 1964 and sold: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, May 15, 1969, lot 64)
Saidenberg Gallery, New York (acquired at the above sale)
Private Collection, New York (acquired from the above on October 16, 1969)
Thence by descent

Exhibited

New York, Buchholz Gallery, Fifty Drawings by Paul Klee1948, no. 40
New York, Saidenberg Gallery, Paul Klee, A Retrospective Exhibition, 1969, no. 33, illustrated in the catalogue

Literature

Will Grohmann, Paul Klee, Handzeichnungen 1921-1930, Potsdam & Berlin, 1934, no. 82
The Paul Klee Foundation & Museum of Fine Arts, Bern, eds., Paul Klee Catalogue Raisonné, 1927-1930, vol. V, Bern, 1999, no. 5291, illustrated p. 494

Condition

Executed on cream laid paper, laid down on the artist's mount, taped to the backing board in four places along the upper edge. Image: the sheet is very slightly undulating due to the artist's laying down process. All four extreme edges are slightly uneven. Mount: white card, lightly time-stained and there is some mount staining on all four edges (not visible when framed) with some minor spots of foxing throughout. This work is in overall 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.