Sale: 425 / Post War / Contemporary Art, June 12./13. 2015 in Munich Lot 858

 

858
Günther Förg
Washington Square II (3-teilig), 2000.
Acrylic on canvas
Estimate:
€ 150,000 / $ 165,000
Sold:
€ 450,000 / $ 495,000

(incl. surcharge)
Washington Square II (3-teilig). 2000.
Acrylic on canvas.
Together: 290 x 960 cm (114.1 x 377.9 in). [SM/EL].

Largest work by the artist ever offered on the auction market (source: artnet.de).
We are grateful to Michael Neff, Estate Günther Förg Switzerland, for his kind support in cataloging this lot.

PROVENANCE: Morat Institut für Kunst und Kunstwissenschaft, Freiburg (present from the artist).

In this object Förg divided the image area in vertical and horizontal fields and stripes that call reminiscence of the minimal artists such as Palermo. However, what distinguishes him from the representatives of Minimal Art is the fact that he adds transparency and permeability to his surfaces through the brush streaks. The movement of the brush calls resembles the methods and the repertoire of forms of Abstract Expressionism and the Informel, whereas they do not dispose of as much expressiveness as it would require to consider them effigies of arousal. Instead associations with representational objects such as grids or windows remain. The focus is all on the essence of line and surface, achieved through the reduction of color values to soft shades of gray. This way Förg succeeds in realizing the highest possible value of expression– also through the works gigantic size - in monumental form and with reduced means.



858
Günther Förg
Washington Square II (3-teilig), 2000.
Acrylic on canvas
Estimate:
€ 150,000 / $ 165,000
Sold:
€ 450,000 / $ 495,000

(incl. surcharge)