Sale: 424 / Modern Art, June 11./13. 2015 in Munich Lot 266

 

266
Paul Klee
Alternde Venus, 1921.
Pencil drawing
Estimate:
€ 20,000 / $ 21,600
Sold:
€ 32,500 / $ 35,100

(incl. surcharge)
Alternde Venus. 1921.
Pencil drawing.
Klee 2802. Signed upper left, dated, titled and with work number "211" in lower center on backing board. Ssitionally inscribed " S. Kl." in lower left. On laid paper by Ingres (without watermark), originally laminated on board. 31.7 x 48.3 cm (12.4 x 19 in). Backing board: 31,5 x 55,5 cm (16,5 x 121,9 in).
Study for the watercolor "Die alternde Venus" from 1922, in possession of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museums, New York.
Delicate and frivolous drawing of high humoristic quality.

PROVENANCE: Berggruen & Cie, Paris.
Roman Norbert Ketterer, Stuttgart (until 1955).
Walter Bareiss, Munich/New York (1955- 1960).
Paul Kantor Gallery, Beverly Hills (as of 1960, with label on rear of frame).
Wolfgang Wittrock Kunsthandel, Düsseldorf (1990-1994, with label on rear of frame).
Galerie Beyeler, Basel (with label on rear of frame).
Private collection North Rhine-Werstphalia.

EXHIBITION: Winterausstellung, Wolfgang Wittrock Kunsthandel, Düsseldorf, 1991/92, cat. no. 35, with illub
Paul Klee (1879-1940), Wolfgang Wittrock Kunsthandel, Düsseldorf, 9 February - 6 March 1993, cat. no. 8, with illu.
Paul Klee in der Maske des Mythos, Haus der Kunst, Munich/Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam,1999/2000. cat. no. 46, with illu. (with label on rear of frame).

LITERATURE: Will Grohmann, Paul Klee. Handzeichnungen 1921-1930, Potsdam/Berlin 1934, no. 71.
Pamela Lynn Kort, The ugly face of beauty. Paul Klee's images of Aphrodite, Phil. Diss. Los Angeles 1994, p. 117-131, with illu.

There are just as many definitions of beauty as there are interpretations. As paradox as it may sound: An aging beauty can be more beautiful than a young one. The ambivalence of these perspectives is evident in our drawing as well. With a soft line Paul Klee depicts a former beauty, certain details of the drawing doubtlessly show that time has done its work. The same slight irony that is so characteristic of Paul Klee's works may also be observed here. The reclined lady's overemphasized head lets the aged body appear even less important. The soft and hesitating line that describe the meager body does the rest in sketching the slight ridiculousness of aging.



266
Paul Klee
Alternde Venus, 1921.
Pencil drawing
Estimate:
€ 20,000 / $ 21,600
Sold:
€ 32,500 / $ 35,100

(incl. surcharge)