Sale: 342 / Modern Art / Sideways, Dec. 03. 2008 in Munich Lot 311

 
Karl Hofer - Früchtestillleben (Äpfel in Tüte)


311
Karl Hofer
Früchtestillleben (Äpfel in Tüte), 1946.
Oil
Estimate:
€ 18,000 / $ 19,440
Sold:
€ 14,640 / $ 15,811

(incl. surcharge)

Früchtestillleben (Äpfel in Tüte). 1946.
Oil on cardboard.
Wohlert 1974. Monogrammed (in ligation) and dated lower right. 30,8 : 52,4 cm (12,1 : 20,6 in). In reducing form to a universally valid statement, Hofer started on his way to a degree of abstraction that he would, however, never consistently achieve. Hofer’s celebrated disagreement with the apologists for abstract painting is the stuff of legend. The artist remained true to himself and the style he had chosen. The greatly reduced forms in our fruit still life are enlivened by colour contrasts, which lend the unobtrusive composition a distinctive air. The complementary colours red and green are confronted with blue and yellow - yet nonetheless tied as it is into a background that is in a neutral colour, the statement made is modified. [KD]

PROVENIENZ: From the artist's estate.
Galerie Elfriede Wirnitzer, Baden-Baden.
Galerie Vömel, Düsseldorf.
Private collection North Rhine-Westphalia.
Private collection South Germany.
AUSSTELLUNG: Carl Hofer 1878 - 1955, Galerie Alex Vömel, Düsseldorf, 15 July - 31 August 1960, no. 13.

Good overall impression. Minimally bumped in places of upper edge and with small isolated colour flakings. Upper corner with faint crease mark and small colour loss. Isolated, barely noticeable traces of rubbing.




311
Karl Hofer
Früchtestillleben (Äpfel in Tüte), 1946.
Oil
Estimate:
€ 18,000 / $ 19,440
Sold:
€ 14,640 / $ 15,811

(incl. surcharge)