Lot 16
  • 16

CÉSAR | Centaure

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 EUR
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Description

  • César
  • Centaure
  • signed César, numbered 7/8 and stamped with the founder's mark Bocquel (on the base)
  • welded bronze
  • 73 x 31 x 67 cm; 28  3/4  x 12  3/16  x 26  3/8  in.
  • Executed in 1983-1984, this work is number 7 from an edition of 8 plus 2 artist proofs and 2 Hors Commerce.

Provenance

Private Collection
Sotheby's, London, Contemporary Art, 22 October 2002, lot 398
Acquired from the above sale, thence by descent to the present owner

Exhibited

Antibes, Musée Picasso, 1986 (other example)
Marseille, Centre de la Vieille Charité, César, oeuvres de 1947 a 1993, July - September 1993; catalogue, pp. 108, 140, illustrated
Paris, Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, César, 10 June - 19 October 1997; catalogue, p.151 (other example)
Rabat, Musée Mohammed VI d'Art Moderne et Contemporain, César, une histoire méditerranéenne, December 2015 - March 2016; catalogue, pp. 25,30, 33, 54, illustrated in colour (other example)

Literature

Catalogue des salons d'automne, 1987, illustrated on the cover (other example)
Pierre Restany, César, Paris, 1988, p. 297, illustrated in colour (other example)
Jean-Charles Hachet, César ou la Métamorphose d'un Grand Art, 1989, p.80, no. 165b (other example)
Francis Patent, Ancrages Magazine, June 1990, n.p., no. 2 (other example)
Exhibition catalogue, H. Lévy, César: Les Bronzes, Sète, Musée Paul-Valery, 1991, pp. 31,51 (other example)
Galerie Enrico Navarra, César: oeuvres Monumentales, Paris, 1996, p. 68, illustrated in colour (other example)

Condition

The colours are fairly accurate in the printed catalogue illustration although the patina is slightly darker in the original work. There is a thin layer of dust in the creases. A tiny wear mark is located on the base of the sculpture, at the extremity of the right corner. The base presents faint oxidation marks. The bronze screwdriver at the back of the sculpture is not welded. This work is in very 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."

Catalogue Note

In my opinion, the motif of the Centaure is the greatest theme in classical statuary. It represents the equestrian landmarks I drew inspiration from when I was still attending l'Ecole des beaux-arts, working before the plaster-works of the antiques room.
César César et son assistant Claude Gevaert travaillent à la maquette du Centaure en 1983. © ADAGP, Paris 2019



This work is registered in the archives of Denyse Durand-Ruel under number 3243 with the approval of Madame Stéphanie Busuttil-Janssen who holds the moral rights to César's work.