5th Oct, 2021 10:00

Modern and Contemporary Art - Live Online

 
  Lot 221
 

221

Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976)

Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976)
Untitled
signed and dated 'Calder '61' l.r., watercolour and gouache
55 x 74.5cm

Provenance: Botanist, writer and explorer Nicholas Guppy (1925-2012) acquired it directly from the artist;
then acquired by close friends, the Rentons, Folly Mill, Thaxted, Essex.

In 1953, while spending a year in Aix-en-Provence, Calder produced his first series of gouache paintings and continued to work in this medium until his death in 1976. Lot 221, Calder's 'Untitled' watercolour and gouache on paper, was created in 1961. In this bold painting, Calder works with quick, broad brushstrokes to form a vivid image. He cleverly deploys bright colours, not quite touching the yellow and blue together, allowing the white of the paper to become an important part of the composition. 'I paint with shapes', Calder once said, and it is the two more thickly painted orange circles that catch our attention and create balance in this piece.

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Sold for £18,000


Condition Report

Viewed out of glazed frame. Colours appeared more vivid out of glazed frame (how it was initially photographed). Paper is attached to mount board with small pieces of tape along each edge. Looks like it could be reasonably easily removed as opposed to being pasted down. Some very light time staining to lower left edge. A few light surface abrasions on blue watercolour. Some of the thicker areas of paint, ie red and yellow have some light craquelure. Two small brush hairs attached to surface in yellow above lower red circle. A tiny handling crease to right edge. Please see additional condition images on website.

 

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Auction: Modern and Contemporary Art - Live Online, 5th Oct, 2021

Viewing

VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT

Due to current social distancing restrictions, we will be offering viewing by appointment only. 

One hour time slots will be available from:

Fri 1 Oct, 9am - 5pm 

Sun 3 Oct, 10am - 1pm

Mon 4 Oct, 9am - 5pm 

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All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description. 

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