Sale: 541 / Contemporary Art Day Sale, June 09. 2023 in Munich Lot 167

 

167
Markus Lüpertz
Beethoven, 2010.
Bronze, painted
Estimate:
€ 40,000 / $ 43,200
Sold:
€ 50,800 / $ 54,864

(incl. surcharge)
Beethoven. 2010.
Bronze, painted.
Base monogrammed, inscribed "E.A." and with the foundry mark "Schmäke Düsseldorf". Artist proof aside from the edition of 6 copies. Ca. 122 x 82 x 60 cm (48 x 32.2 x 23.6 in).
Published by Galerie Rackey, Bad Honnef, 2010. [JS].
• Monumental Beethoven bust in which Lüpertz overcomes the traditional image of the famous composer through enlargement, overdrawing and alienation.
• Outstanding example of Lüpertz' sculptural quest for an artistic redefinition of traditionally defined image content.
• The physiognomy of Ludwig von Beethoven (1770-1837), is stronger anchored in the collective memory than it is the case with any other European artist.
• Fascinating symbiosis of sculpture and painting
.

PROVENANCE: Galerie Rackey, Bad Honnef.
Private collection Baden-Württemberg (since 2011).

In the present, monumental portrait bust, Markus Lüpertz deals with none other than the musical genius Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) and this way fights artistically against a figure that is particularly present in our collective memory. No other European artist has more portrait busts. Beethoven's appearance has been handed down to us to this day through these portraits, which were widespread in the educated middle-class circles of the 19th century. No other artist's physiognomy has burned itself into the collective memory in a comparable way over the centuries and has been represented again and again in its characteristic form by the most diverse sculptors over the years. Lüpertz, however, does not show Beethoven with the concentrated, musing gaze, not in Biedermeier tails with waistcoat and handkerchief, and not with the characteristic disheveled hair. Rather, Lüpertz surprises us with something completely new. Lüpertz monumentalizes and alienates: the bust of the brilliant composer appears to us inflated to larger than life dimensions, grotesquely overdrawn and naively colored. Lüpertz exaggerates with monumentalization and at the same time dethrones Beethoven with his new, almost clownesque appearance. "Beethoven" is a masterpiece that is particularly exemplary of Lüpertz's sculptural endeavors in the 2000s, a time in which Lüpertz redefined classics in works such as "Daphne", "Merkur" or "Atlas", Lüpertz also provides the bronze casting with colors, creating a fascinating symbiosis of sculpture and painting. [JS]



167
Markus Lüpertz
Beethoven, 2010.
Bronze, painted
Estimate:
€ 40,000 / $ 43,200
Sold:
€ 50,800 / $ 54,864

(incl. surcharge)