Sale: 360 / Modern Art, Dec. 12. 2009 in Munich Lot 182

 
Karl Hofer - Paar mit Drittem (1)


182
Karl Hofer
Paar mit Drittem (1), 1954.
Oil on canvas
Estimate:
€ 30,000 / $ 32,400
Sold:
€ 39,040 / $ 42,163

(incl. surcharge)

Oil on canvas
Wohlert 2791. Monogrammed and dated lower right. 75 x 75 cm (29,5 x 29,5 in)
In orig. frame. The work is registered under the number 41 in the estate list compiled by Prof. Dr. Kurt Martin, as well as number 180 in the list of Elfriede Wirnitzer from 1957 (each with label on stretcher).

PROVENANCE: Liesbeth Hofer, artist's widow and heirs.
Art shop Gerd Köhrmann, Cologne (with label on stretcher).
Private collection Hesse.

Karl Hofer painted the motif “Paar mit Drittem“ (Couple with Third ) in two versions two years before his death. In this first version the people are depicted inward-looking, musing. Karl Hofer, the then president of the German Artists‘ Federation, who was vehemently protesting against the turn of German post-war art towards abstraction, shows with great intensity that figurative painting still occupies a prominent spot in post-war art. The feeling of security that the embracing couple emanates shines brightly against the third figure positioned slightly in the background. Human beings and their emotions always were Karl Hofer’s main themes. [EH].




182
Karl Hofer
Paar mit Drittem (1), 1954.
Oil on canvas
Estimate:
€ 30,000 / $ 32,400
Sold:
€ 39,040 / $ 42,163

(incl. surcharge)