Lot 259
Frame image
259
Paul Klee
Der Sauerbaum, 1939.
Watercolor
Estimate:
€ 70,000 / $ 77,000 Sold:
€ 106,250 / $ 116,875 (incl. surcharge)
Der Sauerbaum. 1939.
Watercolor and India ink drawing.
Klee 8131. Signed in upper right of image. Dated in lower left of original backing board and inscribed "C 6" and "IV" as well as titled in lower right. On collaged wove paper with centerfold, originally laminated on board. 42.3 x 26.8 cm (16.6 x 10.5 in). Backing board: 47,5 x 30,3 cm (18,8 x 12 in).
PROVENANCE: Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, Paris (1939).
Karl Nierendorf, Cologne, Berlin, New York (as of 1939).
Richard Sisson, Los Angeles/New York.
Serge Sabarsky, New York (1980).
Saul P. Steinberg, New York (as of 1980).
Christie's New York, 19 May 1981, lot 154 with color illu.
Christie's New York, 12 May 1988, lot 161
Christie´s London, 27 June 1989, lot 231 with illu.
Private colelction (acquired from aforementioned).
EXHIBITION: Paintings by Paul Klee 1879-1940, Society of the 4 arts, Palm Beach, 9 March - 1 April 1951, no. 73.
Collecting privately, Bowdoin College, Museum of Art, Brunswick, as of 1 July 1965, no. 50.
Paul Klee, Fuij Television Gallery, Tokyo, 26 September - 20 October 1978, no. 38 with illu.
Honoring the Centenary of the birth of Paul Klee. An Exhibition of Oils, Watercolors, Mixed Media and Drawings by Paul Klee. Dating from 1913 to 1940, Saidenberg Gallery, New York, 22 March - 19 May 1979, no. 50.
Paul Klee 1879-1940. A Tribute in celebration of the artist's centennial year, Worthington Gallery, Chicago, 12 October - 1 December 1979, no. 23.
Paul Klee. Spätwerk. Arbeiten auf Papier, 1937-1939, Württembergischer Kunstverein, Stuttgart, 25 October 1990 - 13 January 1991/Kunsthalle Emden 10 February - 21 April 1991, no. 201 with color illu.
LITERATURE: Wolfgang Kersten, Paul Klee. "Zerstörung, der Konstruktion zuliebe?", Marburg 1987, p. 153 with illu.
Watercolor and India ink drawing.
Klee 8131. Signed in upper right of image. Dated in lower left of original backing board and inscribed "C 6" and "IV" as well as titled in lower right. On collaged wove paper with centerfold, originally laminated on board. 42.3 x 26.8 cm (16.6 x 10.5 in). Backing board: 47,5 x 30,3 cm (18,8 x 12 in).
PROVENANCE: Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, Paris (1939).
Karl Nierendorf, Cologne, Berlin, New York (as of 1939).
Richard Sisson, Los Angeles/New York.
Serge Sabarsky, New York (1980).
Saul P. Steinberg, New York (as of 1980).
Christie's New York, 19 May 1981, lot 154 with color illu.
Christie's New York, 12 May 1988, lot 161
Christie´s London, 27 June 1989, lot 231 with illu.
Private colelction (acquired from aforementioned).
EXHIBITION: Paintings by Paul Klee 1879-1940, Society of the 4 arts, Palm Beach, 9 March - 1 April 1951, no. 73.
Collecting privately, Bowdoin College, Museum of Art, Brunswick, as of 1 July 1965, no. 50.
Paul Klee, Fuij Television Gallery, Tokyo, 26 September - 20 October 1978, no. 38 with illu.
Honoring the Centenary of the birth of Paul Klee. An Exhibition of Oils, Watercolors, Mixed Media and Drawings by Paul Klee. Dating from 1913 to 1940, Saidenberg Gallery, New York, 22 March - 19 May 1979, no. 50.
Paul Klee 1879-1940. A Tribute in celebration of the artist's centennial year, Worthington Gallery, Chicago, 12 October - 1 December 1979, no. 23.
Paul Klee. Spätwerk. Arbeiten auf Papier, 1937-1939, Württembergischer Kunstverein, Stuttgart, 25 October 1990 - 13 January 1991/Kunsthalle Emden 10 February - 21 April 1991, no. 201 with color illu.
LITERATURE: Wolfgang Kersten, Paul Klee. "Zerstörung, der Konstruktion zuliebe?", Marburg 1987, p. 153 with illu.
Klee's last and most intensive period of creation began in 1937. This was the time when Klee attained his late style which was characterized by the striking reduction. What had survived was the subtle duct as it is also reflected in this watercolor with the title "Der Sauerbaum" (Oxydendrum arboreum). The curvy outlines of the tree's blossoming parts, which make for the color fields in this work, show the artist's high degree of sensitivity in handling the medium. The graphic element, which is of decisive meaning for Paul Klee's entire oeuvre, unfolds without becoming too dominant and without destroying the sheets pictorial character. While many of Klee's later works can be interpreted as presentiments of his death, this watercolor is of a lyrical merriness unusual for this period.
259
Paul Klee
Der Sauerbaum, 1939.
Watercolor
Estimate:
€ 70,000 / $ 77,000 Sold:
€ 106,250 / $ 116,875 (incl. surcharge)