Munich, 23 November, 2011, (kk) – On 10 December, 2011, two unique bronzes by Giacomo Manzù will be called up in the Munich auction at Ketterer Kunst. "Works this unique are rarely found in Germany or in Europe at all", said Robert Ketterer about the Italian sculptor's outstanding works.

Giacomo Manzù's "Cardinale seduto", from the 1970s, is most striking just for its impressive size of almost one meter. The artist was inspired by the subject of a seated cardinal as early as in the 1930s, when he saw the then Pope Pius XI sitting between two cardinals in St. Peter's Cathedral. In 1938 he executed a similar work, which is in possession of the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderne in Rome today. Manzù also showed his cardinals on the Venice Biennale. Over the years he had brought the theme to perfection. The bronze from 1970 is a unique piece and will be called up with an estimate of € 70.000 to 90.000.

In comparison, Giacomo Manzù's "Testa di giapponese" might be obtained for the estimate of € 40.000-60.000. The sculpture was made in 1982 and the artist left its original surface unpolished and without patina, so that the details of the clay model come to their own particularly well. The head's closed eyes emanate a subtle elegance and dignity, which is underlined by the rough impressionist surface and the differentiated levels of oxidation.

Another sensation on the German art market comes from Hermann Max Pechstein. His works "Weib mit Inder auf Teppich" and "Früchte II", painted on both sides of one canvas, is a museum masterpiece of highest rarity. It has been estimated at € 800.000-1.200.000.

Hermann Max Pechstein
Painted on both sides: "Weib mit Inder auf Teppich", 1910 and "Früchte II", 1910. Oil on canvas, 71,5 x 82,5 cm (28.1 x 32.4 in) .
Estimate: € 800.000-1.200.000

While the signed side with the still life shows parallels to Cézanne and Matisse and delivers proof of the artist’s poise regarding reduction, composition and a stringent color expression, the nude captures the observer with its sensuous eroticism which is increased by the expressive colors and the coarse painting technique. The primal straightforwardness of primitive people, by which the Brücke artists were so facinated becomes obvious both in the depiction of the couple’s relaxed togetherness as well as in the color components red-brown, yellow and green. A preliminary drawing of the Indian is in possession of the Nationalgalerie in Berlin today.

For further information on the strong offering of expressionist and contemporary art, please see the press release from 15 November, 2011, and on www.kettererkunst.com/art

      10 December as of 2 p.m.                Modern Art
      followed by                                  Post War/Contemporary Art

      Ketterer Kunst   Joseph-Wild-Str.18  81829 Munich