Lot 137
  • 137

WILLI BAUMEISTER | Phta

Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Willi Baumeister
  • Phta
  • signed and dated 52; signed, titled, dated 1952 and variously inscribed on the reverse
  • oil on masonite
  • 64.5 by 80.5 cm. 25 3/8 by 31 5/8 in.

Provenance

Karl Ströher, Darmstadt (acquired directly from the artist in 1952)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Exhibited

Mannheim, Städtische Kunsthalle Mannheim, Gegenstandlose Malerei in Deutschland, 1952, n.p., no. 5, illustrated
Stuttgart, Württembergischer Kunstverein, Willi Baumeister, January - February 1954, n.p., no. 100 (text)
Darmstadt, Hessisches Landesmuseum, Kunst unserer Zeit - Privatsammlung Karl Ströher, 1954, n.p., no. 15, illustrated

Literature

Will Grohmann, Willi Baumeister - Leben und Werk, Cologne 1963, n.p., no. 1323, illustrated
Erika Pohl, Ursula Ströher and Gerhard Pohl, Eds.,  Karl Ströher: Sammler und Sammlung, Stuttgart 1982, p. 258, no. 45, illustrated 
Gottfried Boehm, Willi Baumeister, Stuttgart 1995, p. 38 (text)
Nicola Assmann, Willi Baumeister - Die Illustration. In der Begegnung mit alten außereuropäischen Kulturen auf dem Weg zu einer neuen Formensprache, Münster 1998, p. 621 (text)
Peter Beye and Felicitas Baumeister, Willi Baumeister, Werkkatalog der Gemälde II, Ostfildern 2002, p. 706, no. 1783, illustrated

Condition

Colour: The colour in the catalogue illustration is fairly accurate. although the overall tonality is cooler with less pink undertones in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. Very close inspection reveals a light layer of superficial dirt in places. Further very close inspection reveals a minute speck of loss towards the centre of the upper edge and a few tiny media accretions in isolated places. Extremely close inspection in raking light reveals some very fine and unobtrusive hairline cracks towards the extreme upper right hand corner. Inspection under ultra-violet light reveals some uneven fluorescence to the extreme edges.
"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."