Details

Provenance

Acquired through George M Butcher by Dr. Simon Altmann and Susana ‘Bocha’ Altmann circa 1960 Thence by descent Dr. Simon Altmann was a theoretical physicist and former Vice Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford. Born in Buenos Aires, Altmann received a doctorate in Chemistry, later obtaining a second doctorate at King’s College, London. He married Bocha Liebeschütz, a biochemist, in Buenos Aires in 1948 and the couple later settled in Oxford. Altmann was a respected lecturer and fellow at Brasenose College and alongside his scientific research and teaching, he had a profound interest in art, with a particular knowledge of Italian art history. During their time living in Oxford, the Altmanns became close family friends with George M. Butcher. Butcher was art critic for The Guardian and a staunch supporter of the burgeoning Indian and South Asian modern art scene. He spent more than two years in India and befriended many artists, gallerists and art critics.

Catalog summary

Lot Details Description Property from the Collection of Dr Paul Altmann Avinash Chandra 1931 - 1991 Untitled Oil on canvas 64 x 76.5 cm. (25 ⅛ x 30 ⅛ in.) Painted circa 1960 Provenance Acquired through George M Butcher by Dr. Simon Altmann and Susana ‘Bocha’ Altmann circa 1960 Thence by descent Dr. Simon Altmann was a theoretical physicist and former Vice Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford. Born in Buenos Aires, Altmann received a doctorate in Chemistry, later obtaining a second doctorate at King’s College, London. He married Bocha Liebeschütz, a biochemist, in Buenos Aires in 1948 and the couple later settled in Oxford. Altmann was a respected lecturer and fellow at Brasenose College and alongside his scientific research and teaching, he had a profound interest in art, with a particular knowledge of Italian art history. During their time living in Oxford, the Altmanns became close family friends with George M. Butcher. Butcher was art critic for The Guardian and a staunch supporter of the burgeoning Indian and South Asian modern art scene. He spent more than two years in India and befriended many artists, gallerists and art critics.