Franz kline bust of beethoven12/8/2023 148-152 & 240, cat.Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. In its antithesis of life and death, absence and presence, and attraction and repulsion, Stuck aims to establish a visual equivalent for the emotional extremes evoked by Beethoven's music, for its creative and destructive power and violence, which should later be masterfully explored by Andrei Tarkovsky in his film Ivanovo destvo (1962) and in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971). The red ground which surrounds Beethoven's head may symbolise the fire aroused by the spark of his genius or might even be suggestive of blood – which is significantly missing from the sitter's complexion. Stuck actually based the portrait upon the life-mask of the composer which was taken by Franz Klein in 1812. It also underscores the portrait's mask-like character. Beethoven's white complexion strongly contradicts the illusion of life suggested by the concentrated facial expression and the penetrating gaze. In both cases the antithesis between portrait head and ground is heightened by the bichromatic accord between the pale face and the surrounding field of one dark colour. The contrast between Beethoven's three-dimensional head and the surrounding plane from which it emerges is indebted to Arnold Böcklin's powerful polychrome papier mâché Shield with the Head of Medusa (sold in these rooms on 14 November 2007, lot 253, to the Musée d'Orsay), the first example of which dates to 1885. Of the few examples known, one is in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, and another was formerly in the Baldhamer collection (sold in these rooms on 17 June 1986, lot 62) and subsequently in the collection of Joey and Toby Tanenbaum (sold Sotheby's, New York,, lot 130). Antoine Bourdelle's bronze bust of the genius of 1902 was the principle inspiration behind Alfredo Pina's bust of Beethoven offered earlier in this sale (lot 46).įranz von Stuck – the co-founder of the Munich Secession and teacher, amongst others, of Alexei von Jawlensky and Paul Klee – first created his polychrome plaster Portrait of Beethoven in 1900. France was taken by Beethoven-mania as well. On that occasion Max Klinger unveiled his large polychrome Monument to Ludwig van Beethoven (Leipzig, Museum der bildenden Künste), which he had been working on since the 1880s, and Gustav Klimt painted the Beethoven Frieze, a visualisation of the composer's Ninth Symphony as interpreted by Richard Wagner, with strong Freudian undertones. The veneration of Beethoven amongst the artists of the fin-de-siècle reached its apex with the exhibition of the Vienna Secession in 1902 (the 75 th anniversary of his death), which was entirely dedicated to the great composer. Stuck's high relief of Ludwig van Beethoven is amongst the most arresting depictions of the romantic composer with whom – according to Friedrich Nietzsche's famous interpretation (1874) – music "began to discover the language of passion, of passionate desire, of the dramatic events which take place in the depths of man." NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE." Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. "In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. There are a few stable hairline fissures to the surface of the face and background. There is some minor wear and dirt consistent with age. Overall the condition of the relief is very good.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |