Lot Essay
Wanda de Guébriant has confirmed the authenticity of this sculpture.
Property from the Estate of Pierre-Noël Matisse
Christie's is privileged to offer a select group of paintings, works on paper and sculpture by Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Balthus, Victor Brauner, and Yves Tanguy from the Estate of Pierre-Noël Matisse in the fall Impressionist and Modern Art sales in New York. Pierre-Noël Matisse, grandson of Henri Matisse, inherited an encyclopedic and extraordinary collection of works--not only by Matisse but by a pantheon of 20th Century masters--from his prodigious parents Pierre Matisse and Alexina "Teeny" Duchamp. This formidable family must have provided a fascinating childhood. While his father Pierre Matisse is considered one of the most influential dealers of the 20th century, having introduced artists such as Joan Miró, Alberto Giacometti and Jean Dubuffet to America, his mother "Teeny" Duchamp led an adventurous and offbeat life having later married the artist Marcel Duchamp.
Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
Vénus accroupie ou Michel-Ange
Details
Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
Vénus accroupie ou Michel-Ange
signed with initials, numbered and stamped with foundry mark 'HM 3 C. VALSUANI CIRE PERDUE' (on the top of the base)
bronze with dark brown patina
Height: 10½ in. (26.7 cm.)
Conceived in Nice, 1918-1919; this bronze version cast in 1951
Vénus accroupie ou Michel-Ange
signed with initials, numbered and stamped with foundry mark 'HM 3 C. VALSUANI CIRE PERDUE' (on the top of the base)
bronze with dark brown patina
Height: 10½ in. (26.7 cm.)
Conceived in Nice, 1918-1919; this bronze version cast in 1951
Provenance
Pierre Matisse, New York (by descent from the artist).
By descent from the above to the late owner.
By descent from the above to the late owner.
Literature
A.E. Elsen, The Sculpture of Henri Matisse, New York, 1972, p. 142, no. 190 (another cast illustrated).
C. Duthuit and W. de Gubriant, Henri Matisse, Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre sculpté, Paris, 1997, p. 178 (another cast illustrated, p. 179).
C. Duthuit and W. de Gubriant, Henri Matisse, Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre sculpté, Paris, 1997, p. 178 (another cast illustrated, p. 179).
Brought to you by
Sarah Wendell