Lot 661 
Raumbeispiel
661
Oskar Schlemmer
Treppenszene, 1931.
Pencil drawing
Estimate:
€ 25,000 / $ 27,500 Sold:
€ 100,000 / $ 110,000 (incl. surcharge)
Treppenszene. 1931.
Pencil drawing.
Grohmann ZB 343. Lower right dated "8.31". With specifications of color and proportions in image. On paper. 28.3 x 22 cm (11.1 x 8.6 in) , size of sheet.
Verso of frame with a certificate of authenticity issued by Tut Schlemmer, mentioning 'ZB 355' as number in œuvre catalog.
PROVENANCE: Collection Emil Frey, Mannheim
(since in family ownership).
LITERATURE: Kunst des 20. Jahrhunderts aus der Sammlung F., Pfalzgalerie Kaiserslautern 15 February-14 March 1976, cat. no. 297.
Aquarelle, Zeichnungen, Druckgraphik des 20. Jahrhunderts aus der Sammlung eines Kielers, Kunsthalle Kiel 3 February - 3 March 1974, p. 69.
Oskar Schlemmer - Aquarelle und Handzeichnungen, Nationalgalerie Berlin 31 January-19 March 1973, cat no. 111.
Idee und Wirklichkeit - Handzeichnungen und Aquarelle des 20. Jahrhunderts aus Privatbesitz, Städt. Kunstsammlungen, Ludwigshafen a. Rhein 11 October-1st November 1970, cat. no. 189 (Abb.).
Meister der Zeichnung in der deutschen Kunst des 20. Jahrhunderts, Kunstverein Hamburg and Frankfurt a. M. 2nd September-15 October 1967, cat. no. 200 (illu. 200).
H. Fuchs, Gaben des Augenblicks, vierundvierzig unveröffentlichte Zeichnungen und Aquarelle aus der Sammlung Frey, Heidelberger Kunstverein 1964, p. 70 (illu.).
"It remains a big issue, old, yet always new, subject and creator of all times: man, human figur, for he is the measure of all things."
Oskar Schlemmer, 1923
Pencil drawing.
Grohmann ZB 343. Lower right dated "8.31". With specifications of color and proportions in image. On paper. 28.3 x 22 cm (11.1 x 8.6 in) , size of sheet.
Verso of frame with a certificate of authenticity issued by Tut Schlemmer, mentioning 'ZB 355' as number in œuvre catalog.
PROVENANCE: Collection Emil Frey, Mannheim
(since in family ownership).
LITERATURE: Kunst des 20. Jahrhunderts aus der Sammlung F., Pfalzgalerie Kaiserslautern 15 February-14 March 1976, cat. no. 297.
Aquarelle, Zeichnungen, Druckgraphik des 20. Jahrhunderts aus der Sammlung eines Kielers, Kunsthalle Kiel 3 February - 3 March 1974, p. 69.
Oskar Schlemmer - Aquarelle und Handzeichnungen, Nationalgalerie Berlin 31 January-19 March 1973, cat no. 111.
Idee und Wirklichkeit - Handzeichnungen und Aquarelle des 20. Jahrhunderts aus Privatbesitz, Städt. Kunstsammlungen, Ludwigshafen a. Rhein 11 October-1st November 1970, cat. no. 189 (Abb.).
Meister der Zeichnung in der deutschen Kunst des 20. Jahrhunderts, Kunstverein Hamburg and Frankfurt a. M. 2nd September-15 October 1967, cat. no. 200 (illu. 200).
H. Fuchs, Gaben des Augenblicks, vierundvierzig unveröffentlichte Zeichnungen und Aquarelle aus der Sammlung Frey, Heidelberger Kunstverein 1964, p. 70 (illu.).
"It remains a big issue, old, yet always new, subject and creator of all times: man, human figur, for he is the measure of all things."
Oskar Schlemmer, 1923
Our sheet is a preliminary work for the famous "Treppenszene" (Staircase Scene, von Maur G 264) from1932, today on display at the Kunsthalle Hamburg. Von Maur also mentions the preliminary drawing offered here "inscribed with information on proportions and colors as well as the date 8.31 (August 31): it provides evidence that Schlemer made this composition one year before he executed the painting." (Quote after: v.Maur, Oskar Schlemmer - Œuvrekatalog, 1979, p. 104). All in line with the Bauhaus philosophy, Oskar Schlemmer put the focus on man and space. He began working on the staircase pictures, which touch this topic in all its diversity, as early as in 1931. Our sketch is a prime example of how space and surface, rhythmic motion and calm stand are interrelated. The staircase motif in Oskar Schlemmer’s oeuvre may hint at his hope for order of future civilizations. This utopian idea was soon shattered by the emerging Nazi rulers. [EH]
661
Oskar Schlemmer
Treppenszene, 1931.
Pencil drawing
Estimate:
€ 25,000 / $ 27,500 Sold:
€ 100,000 / $ 110,000 (incl. surcharge)