A barrel of monkeys

18 Immendorff sculptures rough up Ketterer Kunst auction

"To me the monkey is and has always been an alter ego, symbolizing the ambivalence of an artist’s existence, convictions and self-doubt", said Jörg Immendorff*. The sympathetic animal has been appearing in his works since 1985 and has become the artist‘s representative and trade mark. To Immendorff the monkey is the allegory for the unattainability of divine creation, which the artist can merely "monkey" in his works.

Some 18 monkey bronzes called "Malerstamm" ("Painter Tribe") are made between 2002 and 2006. Some monkeys from this series refer to the work of other artists from past or today. Names such as Anselm, Blinky or Tilman in the title of the sculpture hint at Immendorff’s colleagues.

Additionally, four further works by Jörg Immendorff will be offered in this auction: Besides "Alter Ego - Das andere Ich (Doppelskulptur)" (estimate: € 4 000-5 000), the bronze "Für dunkle Tage" (estimate: € 4 500-5 500) as a symbol of hope will be called up. The two oil paintings "Probestehen"and "Kleine Mischtechnik" have been estimated between € 15 000-20 000.