Emil Nolde

Private Collection, Germany (acquired by 1961)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Executed on thin cream wove paper, not laid down, attached at all four corners to the backing board and floating in the mount. There are pin holes to both upper corners. There is a nick towards the centre of the lower edge and a further nick to the upper part of the left edge. There are a few flecks of paint loss in places to the more thickly applied terracotta pigment. The corners are slightly scuffed and the sheet has some light time staining. 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. 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."

Executed with a delightful palette of vibrant blues, reds and yellows, the portrait Frau Ada is a striking example of Nolde's lifelong obsession with colour. In this portrait, the dominance of colour over line, characteristic of the majority of Nolde's work, is visible. It depicts an extraordinary juxtaposition between the vividness of the strong colours, although kept in warm hues, and the peacefulness of the sleeping beauty who is blissfully unaware of the spectator's gaze; Frau Ada is a remarkably intimate depiction.

Although here ascribed to his wife Ada, the identity of Nolde's sitter is in general of secondary importance, because colour is the main character. The artist once stated that 'a number of times I have been asked if I really have no interest in people, because I hardly seem to look. "Oh indeed I do", I say, because I actually like to look very much. Maybe just a little differently than usual. The eye should be able to take in an impression in one twelfth of a second, any more time spent is private pleasure' (quoted in Emil Nolde Portraits (exhibition catalogue), Ulmer Museum, Ulm & De Zonnehof, Amersfoort, 2005-06, p. 9).