SIGMUND WALTER HAMPEL | The Dreamer

Sale: Sotheby's, London, February 10, 1988, lot 37, illustrated (as A Female Nude by a Vase of Flowers)
Acquired by 1999

Watercolor, pencil and pen and ink heightened with bodycolor and gold on paper. The sheet is hinged to the mat in two places along the upper edge. Overall the colors remain fresh and vibrant though the paper has darkened over time. There is a diagonal stain at upper left; and an approximately 1 inch repaired vertical tear extending from the extreme lower left edge. On the reverse there is light toning along the left edge, remnants of old tape that have discolored, and minor handling creases visible.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A graduate of the Vienna Academy of Art, Sigmund Walter Hampel drew on an eclectic stylistic vocabulary, including Art Nouveau, Symbolism and inspiration from his peers associated with the Vienna Secession. The narrative ambiguity and degree of finish of The Dreamer is intentional, consistent with other works by the artist, and its van Eyck-ian architectural composition, Chinese textile designs and Tibetan thangka motifs clearly demonstrates his broad interests. A friend of the designers Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser and neighbor of Gustav Klimt at Lake Attersee, Hampel found success in Austria and abroad as winner of the Grand Prix at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904 and a Golden Medal at the 1908 Rio de Janeiro Exposição Nacional. Works by the artist can be found in the collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Albertina in Vienna and Neue Pinakothek in Munich, among others.