Große Katze. 1950/1952.
Bronze with grayish-green patina.
With the estate stamp on the base. From an edition of 6+1 copies. Height: 48 cm (18.8 in).
Authorized cast from the estate. [CH].

• Hartung had a particularly prolific creative phase in the post-war years that led to his artistic breakthrough.
• Depictions of animals played an essential role in his oeuvre from this period, helping him discover his path to abstraction.
• Elaborate reduction to the essential external features and characteristic traits.
• This is the first time a copy of this bronze is offered on the international auction market (source: artprice.com).

We are grateful to the Karl Hartung Estate for the kind expert advice.

PROVENANCE: Galerie Pels-Leusden, Berlin.
Private collection, Southern Germany (acquired from the above in 1998).
In family ownership.

EXHIBITION: Auf leisen Pfoten. Die Katze in der Kunst, Städtische Galerie, Karlsruhe, December 9, 2006 - April 15, 2007 (different copy).

LITERATURE: Markus Krause, Karl Hartung 1908-1967. Metamorphosen von Mensch und Natur (monograph and catalogue raisonné), Munich 1998, p. 237, no. 453 (illustrated in b/w).