Ivan Kožarić

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner in 1998

There is some loss to the layer of red paint that covers the sculpture. The work is in otherwise 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. 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."

Kožarić produced two ‘sphere’ sculptures, the offered lot and a larger version which is in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb (fig.1). The offered lot comes to sale for the first time from a private European collection and dates to the mid 1960s when the artist was a member of the Gorgona group. The Gorgona artists were preoccupied with the reduction of form to its simplest elements as evidenced in this piece.

Kožarić is considered today among the most important 20^th century artists from the Balkans. He has had many solo exhibitions in his native Croatia, and internationally his work has been shown at the National Museum of Modern Art in Paris (2002), at the Venice Biennale (1976) and Documenta in Kassel (2002). The majority of his works are now located in the Kožarić Studio in the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb.