Back side
179
Karl Hartung
Kleine Liegende mit aufgestütztem Kopf, 1948.
Bronze with a golden-brown patina, with a sligh...
Estimate:
€ 25,000 - 35,000
$ 29,250 - 40,950
179
Karl Hartung
Kleine Liegende mit aufgestütztem Kopf, 1948.
Bronze with a golden-brown patina, with a sligh...
Estimate:
€ 25,000 - 35,000
$ 29,250 - 40,950
Karl Hartung
1908 - 1967
Kleine Liegende mit aufgestütztem Kopf. 1948.
Bronze with a golden-brown patina, with a slight greenish tinge in places.
Signed by the artist on the reverse. With the estate stamp on the underside. One of 12 + 1 copies (including one artist's copy). 19.4 x 40 x 25 cm (7.6 x 15.7 x 9.8 in).
An authorized cast from the artist's estate. [CH].
• Hartung’s “Reclining Figures” are arguably the artist’s best-known works.
• The appeal of contrasts: exaggerated, sensual physicality meets an abstract style.
• The essence of human nature – Hartung translates the classical motif of the “reclining nude” into his unique modern aesthetics.
• The anthropomorphic nudes are among his most sought-after works on the international auction market.
• The large version of these Reclining Figures (1951, CR no. 472) has achieved the highest auction results to date for a work by the artist (2022 and 2025).
• Two copies of the monumental version are on display at Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig-Holstein State Museums, Schleswig, and in the sculpture park of the Woods Art Institute, Wentorf.
We are grateful to the Karl Hartung Estate for the kind expert advice.
PROVENANCE: Private collection, Berlin.
Acquired by the current owner from the above.
EXHIBITION: (probably different copies)
Für Karl Hartung (memorial exhibition as part of the 15th German Artists’ Association Exhibition), Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe, 1967, cat. no. 8.
1945–1985: Kunst in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Nationalgalerie Berlin, 1985, cat. no. 113 (illustrated)
Karl Hartung 1908–1967. Eine Werkübersicht zum 80. Geburtstag, Galerie Pels-Leusden, Berlin, Sept. 3–Oct. 29, 1988, cat. no. 35.
Karl Hartung. Skulpturen und Zeichnungen, Galerie Utermann, Dortmund, 1989.
Opening Reception, Galerie Utermann, Dortmund, Oct. 16–Nov. 9, 1991, cat. no. 25 (illustrated)
Der Diskurs findet hier statt. 50 Jahre Haus am Waldsee, Haus am Waldsee, Berlin, Oct. 26–Dec. 1, 1996.
LITERATURE: Markus Krause, Karl Hartung 1908–1967. Metamorphosen von Mensch und Natur. Monograph and Catalogue Raisonné, Munich 1998, CR no. 404 (illustrated in black and white, a different copy, p. 225).
- -
Katharina Schneider, Die drei Berliner Bildhauer Uhlmann, Hartung und Heiliger. Zur Entwicklung der abstrakten deutschen Plastik zwischen 1945 und 1950, in: Ullrich Schneider (ed.), Festschrift Günther Bott, Nuremberg 1987, pp. 297 and 300ff. (illustrated, different copy).
Called up: June 13, 2026 - ca. 14.45 h +/- 20 min.
1908 - 1967
Kleine Liegende mit aufgestütztem Kopf. 1948.
Bronze with a golden-brown patina, with a slight greenish tinge in places.
Signed by the artist on the reverse. With the estate stamp on the underside. One of 12 + 1 copies (including one artist's copy). 19.4 x 40 x 25 cm (7.6 x 15.7 x 9.8 in).
An authorized cast from the artist's estate. [CH].
• Hartung’s “Reclining Figures” are arguably the artist’s best-known works.
• The appeal of contrasts: exaggerated, sensual physicality meets an abstract style.
• The essence of human nature – Hartung translates the classical motif of the “reclining nude” into his unique modern aesthetics.
• The anthropomorphic nudes are among his most sought-after works on the international auction market.
• The large version of these Reclining Figures (1951, CR no. 472) has achieved the highest auction results to date for a work by the artist (2022 and 2025).
• Two copies of the monumental version are on display at Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig-Holstein State Museums, Schleswig, and in the sculpture park of the Woods Art Institute, Wentorf.
We are grateful to the Karl Hartung Estate for the kind expert advice.
PROVENANCE: Private collection, Berlin.
Acquired by the current owner from the above.
EXHIBITION: (probably different copies)
Für Karl Hartung (memorial exhibition as part of the 15th German Artists’ Association Exhibition), Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe, 1967, cat. no. 8.
1945–1985: Kunst in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Nationalgalerie Berlin, 1985, cat. no. 113 (illustrated)
Karl Hartung 1908–1967. Eine Werkübersicht zum 80. Geburtstag, Galerie Pels-Leusden, Berlin, Sept. 3–Oct. 29, 1988, cat. no. 35.
Karl Hartung. Skulpturen und Zeichnungen, Galerie Utermann, Dortmund, 1989.
Opening Reception, Galerie Utermann, Dortmund, Oct. 16–Nov. 9, 1991, cat. no. 25 (illustrated)
Der Diskurs findet hier statt. 50 Jahre Haus am Waldsee, Haus am Waldsee, Berlin, Oct. 26–Dec. 1, 1996.
LITERATURE: Markus Krause, Karl Hartung 1908–1967. Metamorphosen von Mensch und Natur. Monograph and Catalogue Raisonné, Munich 1998, CR no. 404 (illustrated in black and white, a different copy, p. 225).
- -
Katharina Schneider, Die drei Berliner Bildhauer Uhlmann, Hartung und Heiliger. Zur Entwicklung der abstrakten deutschen Plastik zwischen 1945 und 1950, in: Ullrich Schneider (ed.), Festschrift Günther Bott, Nuremberg 1987, pp. 297 and 300ff. (illustrated, different copy).
Called up: June 13, 2026 - ca. 14.45 h +/- 20 min.
Buyer's premium, taxation and resale right compensation for Karl Hartung "Kleine Liegende mit aufgestütztem Kopf"
This lot can be purchased subject to differential or regular taxation, artist‘s resale right compensation is due.
Differential taxation:
Hammer price up to 2,000,000 €: herefrom 34 % premium.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 2,000,000 € is subject to a premium of 29 % and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 2,000,000 €.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 4,000,000 € is subject to a premium of 22 % and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 4,000,000 €.
The buyer's premium contains VAT, however, it is not shown.
Regular taxation:
Hammer price up to 2,000,000 €: herefrom 29 % premium.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 2,000,000 € is subject to a premium of 23% and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 2,000,000 €.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 4,000,000 € is subject to a premium of 15% and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 4,000,000 €.
The statutory VAT of currently 7 % is levied to the sum of hammer price and premium.
We kindly ask you to notify us before invoicing if you wish to be subject to regular taxation.
Calculation of artist‘s resale right compensation:
For works by living artists, or by artists who died less than 70 years ago, a artist‘s resale right compensation is levied in accordance with Section 26 UrhG:
4 % of hammer price from 400.00 euros up to 50,000 euros,
another 3 % of the hammer price from 50,000.01 to 200,000 euros,
another 1 % for the part of the sales proceeds from 200,000.01 to 350,000 euros,
another 0.5 % for the part of the sale proceeds from 350,000.01 to 500,000 euros and
another 0.25 % of the hammer price over 500,000 euros.
The maximum total of the resale right fee is EUR 12,500.
The artist‘s resale right compensation is VAT-exempt.
Differential taxation:
Hammer price up to 2,000,000 €: herefrom 34 % premium.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 2,000,000 € is subject to a premium of 29 % and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 2,000,000 €.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 4,000,000 € is subject to a premium of 22 % and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 4,000,000 €.
The buyer's premium contains VAT, however, it is not shown.
Regular taxation:
Hammer price up to 2,000,000 €: herefrom 29 % premium.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 2,000,000 € is subject to a premium of 23% and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 2,000,000 €.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 4,000,000 € is subject to a premium of 15% and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 4,000,000 €.
The statutory VAT of currently 7 % is levied to the sum of hammer price and premium.
We kindly ask you to notify us before invoicing if you wish to be subject to regular taxation.
Calculation of artist‘s resale right compensation:
For works by living artists, or by artists who died less than 70 years ago, a artist‘s resale right compensation is levied in accordance with Section 26 UrhG:
4 % of hammer price from 400.00 euros up to 50,000 euros,
another 3 % of the hammer price from 50,000.01 to 200,000 euros,
another 1 % for the part of the sales proceeds from 200,000.01 to 350,000 euros,
another 0.5 % for the part of the sale proceeds from 350,000.01 to 500,000 euros and
another 0.25 % of the hammer price over 500,000 euros.
The maximum total of the resale right fee is EUR 12,500.
The artist‘s resale right compensation is VAT-exempt.
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