Sale: 428 / Modern Art, Dec. 03./05. 2015 in Munich Lot 256

 

256
Kurt Schwitters
Ohne Titel (but but), Merzzeichnung, 1947.
Collage
Estimate:
€ 30,000 / $ 32,400
Sold:
€ 35,000 / $ 37,800

(incl. surcharge)
Ohne Titel (but but), Merzzeichnung. 1947.
Collage of color offset prints and pen drawing in brown on cardboard.
Orchard/Schultz 3559. Monogrammed and dated lower left. Verso of backing board with inscription. 9.5 x 8.2 cm (3.7 x 3.2 in). Original backing board: 18,5 x 14,5 cm (3,7 x 3,1 in).

PROVENANCE: Edith Thomas, London, 1948-1952 (inherited from artist).
Sidney Janis Gallery, New York (since 1952, with gallery label on frame covering).
Carroll Janis, New York (since 1999).

EXHIBITION: Collage, Painting, Relief & Sculpture by Schwitters, Sidney Janis Gallery, New York, 13 October - 8 November, 1952, cat. no. 44.
Collages by Kurt Schwitters, The Phillips Gallery, Washington, 6 January -25 February, 1957, cat. no. 18.
75 Collages by Kurt Schwitters, Sidney Janis Gallery, New York, 2 February - 7 March, 1959, cat. no. 72 (with illu.).
50 Collages by Kurt Schwitters, Sidney Janis Gallery, New York, 2 April - 5 May, 1962, no. 59.
Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948). Collages, Paintings, Drawings, Objects, Ephemera, Ubu Gallery, New York, 1 April - 23 May, 2003, cat. no. 38 (with color illu.).

The miniature-like collage from the 1940s combines compositional qualities of earlier works by Kurt Schwitters from this field. The collages, almost in caper-like compaction, is, as it is often the case, enigmatic. The inscription in brown ink "But But" does not help much, either. The early occupation with advertising and poster art also finds expression in this work. Pictorial elements have been banned; Schwitters focuses entirely on a non-representational composition by means of fragmentary quotes that make for room for illusion. The mysterious and enigmatic character is an inherent part of these works, it reveals the optical charm through the careful selection of the collaged material.



256
Kurt Schwitters
Ohne Titel (but but), Merzzeichnung, 1947.
Collage
Estimate:
€ 30,000 / $ 32,400
Sold:
€ 35,000 / $ 37,800

(incl. surcharge)