Robert MOTHERWELL (1915-1991) - Lot 26

Robert MOTHERWELL (1915-1991) *LOT LOCATED IN SWITZERLAND: 5.5% IMPORT TAX INCL. VAT IN ADDITION TO BUYER'S TAX Five works from the Hollow Men series, 1986. Prints and multiples, etching and aquatint. Each sheet: approx. 29.21 x 30.4 cm Each frame: approx. 34.2 x 36.8 cm Each sheet: approx. 11 1/2 x 12 in. Each frame: approx. 13 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. Each print is signed and numbered RM Trial in pencil lower right. Private collection, Switzerland. Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) was a central figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, renowned for his intellectual depth and commitment to the expressive potential of abstraction. Born in Aberdeen, Washington, Motherwell studied philosophy and literature before turning to art, which had a profound influence on his visual language. His works often reflect a synthesis of European modernism and American sensibility, marked by a deep interest in themes of history, identity and the human condition. Motherwell's artistic career was characterized by a series of emblematic motifs and series, including "Elegy to the Spanish Republic", "Open" and "Hollow Men". These series are distinguished by their emotional intensity, formal rigor and philosophical underpinnings. Motherwell's approach to printmaking was particularly innovative; he was one of the few Abstract Expressionists to fully embrace the medium, producing a significant body of work that expanded the possibilities of graphic art. His work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, including: - Robert Motherwell: Centennial Celebration at the Guggenheim Museum, New York (2015) - Robert Motherwell: The Formative Years at the Dedalus Foundation, New York (2010) - Robert Motherwell: Prints and Works on Paper at the National Gallery of Art, Washington (2002) These exhibitions consolidated Motherwell's reputation as a major figure in twentieth-century art, whose contributions continue to influence contemporary artistic discourse. "Hollow Men" (1986) is a series of seven aquatint etchings created by Robert Motherwell. This suite reflects his interpretation of T.S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men" (1925), which explores themes of existential despair and the fragmentation of modern life. Motherwell's suite translates these themes into images, thanks to his characteristic style of bold lines and dynamic compositions. The series was produced using the chine collé technique, a printing method in which a thin sheet of paper is glued to a thicker support. This process enabled Motherwell to achieve a subtle interplay between the printed image and the texture of the paper, reinforcing the emotional impact of the works. THIS LOT IS LOCATED IN SWITZERLAND. THE PURCHASER MUST PAY 5.5% VAT IN ADDITION TO THE USUAL CHARGES FOR IMPORTING THE LOT INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION.