Sale: 561 / Contemporary Day Sale, Dec. 07. 2024 in Munich Lot 304


304
Ernst Wilhelm Nay
Studie zum Freiburger Bild, 1956.
Watercolor
Estimate:
€ 30,000 - 40,000

 
$ 33,000 - 44,000

+
Studie zum Freiburger Bild. 1956.
Watercolor.
Signed and dated lower right. On firm watercolor paper. 27.1 x 57.3 cm (10.6 x 22.5 in), the full sheet. [CH].


• One of 16 known watercolor studies for the famous 'Freiburger Bild' (cat. rais. no. 812).
• Other independent studies are in possession of, among others, the Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn, and the Boehringer Ingelheim AG & Co. KG.
• Exceptionally delicately modulated color rhythm.
• In family possession for almost 50 years
.

The work will be included in the catalogue raisonné of works on paper under the number WVZ 56-037.1. We would like to thank Dr. Magdalene Claesges, Cologne, for her kind expert advice.

PROVENANCE: Erhart Kestner Collection (presumably 1904-1974), Staufen.
Dr. Ewald Rathke, Frankfurt am Main.
Private collection, Hesse (acquired from the above in 1977).
Family-owned ever since.

Called up: December 7, 2024 - ca. 15.50 h +/- 20 min.

The University of Freiburg invited Ernst Wilhelm Nay to create a mural for the newly built Department of Chemistry vestibule in the early summer of 1956. The space in question was the back wall of the very spacious but relatively low entrance hall. Nay accepted the commission unconditionally and decided on a canvas painting on a stretcher extending across the entire wall. Over the year, he realized that it had become increasingly vital for him to directly tackle this vast and elongated surface to experience the space and unusual proportions of such a massive white field. To avoid the risk of simply blowing up a draft sketch, Nay refrained from doing any sketches or other preliminary works that would have led directly to his largest painting ever. However, he could not wholly escape his work routine. In addition to three paintings in 80 x 200 cm sizes, he also created around 16 watercolor studies of proportional sizes to approach the enormous surface (255 x 655 cm) excellently. These elongated horizontal watercolors also prove to be unusual not only because of their format but also because they are outstanding in the artist's work.

In this watercolor, Nay avoids the additive juxtaposition of individual formal and rhythmic centers that the frieze-like format would suggest, which the artist sought to avoid. The result is a meticulously conceived composition comparable to a melody in which accentuation, retraction, and the balance of pictorial elements strike the eye. Hence, the artist uses shades of blue, yellow, delicate green, and a few pithy reds to create a sense of moving rhythms. On the one hand, the rhythms transform the flat surface into a self-contained choreography of pictorial forces while at the same time connecting to an all-encompassing rhythmic field that radiates in from the outside. Imagine the radiant energy in this delicate composition projected onto the massive wall in the lobby of the Department of Chemistry, which would transform the bare white wall into a beautiful and alluring surface.

Ernst Wilhelm Nay, however, decided on a bold choreography of circular forms, which complemented the modern style of the entrance hall. The splendor of the intense colors in the sober architecture instantly catches the eyes of those entering the building. With the Freiburg painting, the artist established himself as the leading German colorist of the 20th century. He can design this oversized wall format in a precious and dense way and think through the colored energies that arise in every detail. Nevertheless, back to our watercolor: the rhythmic sequences of colors and dynamic surface rhythms lend this watercolor a vibrant element. The concentration, increased dispersion, and occasional alignment of the disks make up the painting's potential volume. [MvL]




Buyer's premium, taxation and resale right compensation for Ernst Wilhelm Nay "Studie zum Freiburger Bild"
This lot can be purchased subject to differential or regular taxation, artist‘s resale right compensation is due.

Differential taxation:
Hammer price up to 800,000 €: herefrom 32 % premium.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 800,000 € is subject to a premium of 27 % and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 800,000 €.
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 800,000 €: herefrom 27 % premium.
The share of the hammer price exceeding 800,000 € is subject to a premium of 21% and is added to the premium of the share of the hammer price up to 800,000 €.
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 19 % is levied to the sum of hammer price and premium. As an exception, the reduced VAT of 7 % is added for printed books.

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.