Details

Provenance

Estate of the artist Heinrich Kirchhoff, Wiesbaden (acquired from the above in 1931) New Gallery, New York (acquired by 1957) Saidenberg Gallery, New York (acquired circa 1957-60) E.V. Thaw, New York (acquired in 1960) Grosvenor Gallery, London Sale: Sotheby Parke-Bernet, New York, November 6, 1979, lot 234 Private Collection, Europe (acquired at the above sale) Galerie Thomas, Munich Acquired from the above

Exhibited

New York, The New Gallery, Wassily Kandinsky: Paintings of 1905-1940 , 1961, no. 17, illustrated in the catalogue

Literature

Artist's Handlist, Watercolours , listed as "vii 1931, 425, Eckig" Vivian Endicott Barnett, Kandinsky Watercolours, Catalogue Raisonné 1922-1944 , vol. II, London, 1994, no. 1035, illustrated p. 308 Condition Very good condition. Executed on cream wove paper laid down on card. One tiny dot of foxing above center of lower edge and another at upper left edge. There is a nail-head sized irregularity at lower right corner, which may be the result of a small repair with associated retouching. In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. 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. 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. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE. Catalogue Note Eckig , executed in 1931, is a striking example from Kandinsky's oeuvre created during his time as a teacher at the Bauhaus. His use of geometrical shapes, as opposed to the free-floating forms and lines of his work from the previous years in Russia, reflects the influential Bauhaus aesthetics that Kandinsky discusses in his important theoretical publication Punkt und Linie zur Fläche ( Point and Line to Plane ) of 1926. Kandinsky's deep theosophical interests fueled his desire to create a renewal of the arts. Championing the autonomy of color, the painter believed that all arts were capable of attaining an equal level of spirituality, achieving thus a synthesis of universal content. Fascinated by the effect of color and form, Eckig fully encapsulates the style of his Bauhaus period with its abstract geometric language and palette, while still bearing an element of symbolism in its composition.

Catalog summary

Wassily Kandinsky Eckig (Angular) Signed with the artist's monogram and dated 31 (lower left) Watercolor, spritztechnik and pen and ink on paper laid down on card 19 1/2 by 13 7/8 in. 49.5 by 35.3 cm Provenance Estate of the artist Heinrich Kirchhoff, Wiesbaden (acquired from the above in 1931) New Gallery, New York (acquired by 1957) Saidenberg Gallery, New York (acquired circa 1957-60) E.V. Thaw, New York (acquired in 1960) Grosvenor Gallery, London Sale: Sotheby Parke-Bernet, New York, November 6, 1979, lot 234 Private Collection, Europe (acquired at the above sale) Galerie Thomas, Munich Acquired from the above Exhibited New York, The New Gallery, Wassily Kandinsky: Paintings of 1905-1940 , 1961, no. 17, illustrated in the catalogue Literature Artist's Handlist, Watercolours , listed as "vii 1931, 425, Eckig" Vivian Endicott Barnett, Kandinsky Watercolours, Catalogue Raisonné 1922-1944 , vol. II, London, 1994, no. 1035, illustrated p. 308 Condition Very good condition. Executed on cream wove paper laid down on card. One tiny dot of foxing above center of lower edge and another at upper left edge. There is a nail-head sized irregularity at lower right corner, which may be the result of a small repair with associated retouching. In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. 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. 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. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE. Catalogue Note Eckig , executed in 1931, is a striking example from Kandinsky's oeuvre created during his time as a teacher at the Bauhaus. His use of geometrical shapes, as opposed to the free-floating forms and lines of his work from the previous years in Russia, reflects the influential Bauhaus aesthetics that Kandinsky discusses in his important theoretical publication Punkt und Linie zur Fläche ( Point and Line to Plane ) of 1926. Kandinsky's deep theosophical interests fueled his desire to create a renewal of the arts. Championing the autonomy of color, the painter believed that all arts were capable of attaining an equal level of spirituality, achieving thus a synthesis of universal content. Fascinated by the effect of color and form, Eckig fully encapsulates the style of his Bauhaus period with its abstract geometric language and palette, while still bearing an element of symbolism in its composition.