Alexandre Noll

Transitioning to an art practice from wood carving in the 1920s, Alexandre Noll produced sculptural works through the lens of his profound appreciation for natural wood, viewing it as a material of inherent, intellectual value. Forgoing the use of nails and other metal accessories, Noll sought to maintain the natural quality of his works in every aspect. By the 1950s, he’d carved a niche for himself by creating ‘sculpture furniture’ pieces that preserved the sacredness of the material, rivaling the likes of Henry Moore and Hans Arp. Created circa 1963, the present work, an exceptionally rare model, demonstrates Noll’s expertise in crafting abstract sculptures of poetic depth with a single block of wood. The sculpture possesses an inverted quality as its hollowed center mimics its exterior, though from the reverse perspective. With a three-pronged pointed edge, the abstract geometric shape in the center illustrates Noll’s technique of blending human artistry with the natural world.