Sale: 489 / Evening Sale, June 07. 2019 in Munich Lot 131

 

131
Emil Nolde
Sonnenblumen, 1930.
Watercolor
Estimate:
€ 80,000 / $ 86,400
Sold:
€ 81,250 / $ 87,750

(incl. surcharge)
Sonnenblumen. 1930s.
Watercolor.
Signed in lower right. On Japon. 36.8 x 50.5 cm (14.4 x 19.8 in), the full sheet.

• Flower motif in flaming colors.
• Virtuoso watercolor by the great German Expressionist
.

Accomapnied by a photo expertise issued by Prof. Dr. Manfred Reuther on May 15, 2019. The watercolor is registered at the Archive Reuther as "Nolde A - 135/2019".

PROVENANCE: Private collection Southern Germany.

When Emil Nolde takes a brush into his hand in order to paint a flower watercolor, he does so with the emphasis of an admirer of the intense colors nature has to offer and with the intention to render them as close to nature as possible. Nolde developed the proper technique for his artistic goal himself, accordingly, the use of the pure watercolors on moist paper that allows the colors to unfold their full effect is an extraordinary accomplishment. This method requires an extreme focus on the subject, which Emil Nolde almost exclusively executes in close-up, seemingly with the intention of going beyond the scope of the picture frame. However, all emotional forces inherent in the composition of his flower watercolors must take up a subordinate role to the brilliant colors. The calm taming of what Nolde perceives emotionally emanates a remarkable visual magic. The watercolors occupy a special position in Nolde's oeuvre. For some time he did not execute anything other than that, like for instance on his South Sea journey, but also during his occupational ban in the Third Reich and after 1951, when Nolde gave up painting in oil almost entirely because of a broken arm. Tima and again he stages ever new flower compositions in his unique watercolor technique, it seems he never gets enough of the color explosions. Eventually hundreds of these documents of Nolde's great mastery in this field came into existence. [SM]



131
Emil Nolde
Sonnenblumen, 1930.
Watercolor
Estimate:
€ 80,000 / $ 86,400
Sold:
€ 81,250 / $ 87,750

(incl. surcharge)