Post War — A491: Modern, Post War & Contemporary
Meret Oppenheim was a Swiss artist. She is best known for her surrealist sculptures and objects, which often featured everyday objects that had been transformed through unexpected combinations and juxtapositions.
Oppenheim was part of the surrealist movement, which aimed to liberate the unconscious mind and challenge traditional ideas about art and reality. Her most famous work is "Object" (1936), a fur-covered teacup, saucer, and spoon that has become an iconic symbol of surrealist art.
Oppenheim's work often explored themes of gender and sexuality, and she was interested in the idea of transforming everyday objects into works of art. She frequently used materials such as fur, leather, and feathers in her work, which added a tactile element to her sculptures.
Oppenheim was also an accomplished painter and photographer, and her work often incorporated elements of these mediums as well. She was a trailblazer for women in the art world and was one of the few female artists to achieve recognition during the male-dominated surrealist movement.
Today, Oppenheim's work is celebrated for its wit, humor, and subversive power, and she is considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century.
Imi Knoebel (born Klaus Wolf Knoebel) is a German artist. Knoebel is known for his minimalist, abstract painting and sculpture. The "Messerschnitt" or "knife cuts," are a recurring technique he employs, along with his regular use of the primary colors, red, yellow and blue. Knoebel lives and works in Düsseldorf.
Julio Le Parc, an Argentine artist born in 1928, is celebrated for his significant contributions to modern op art and kinetic art. Educated at the School of Fine Arts in Argentina, Le Parc is a founding member of the influential Groupe de Recherche d’Art Visuel (GRAV) and has received numerous accolades for his work, cementing his status as a key figure in Argentine modern art.
Le Parc's art is renowned for its interactive nature, inviting viewers to experience his works through light, movement, and perception, rather than through narrative or representational content. His piece "Light in Movement" (1962), for example, uses painted drywall, mirrors, stainless steel, nylon thread, and spotlights to create an immersive environment of reflected and refracted light, exemplifying his focus on the sensory experience. Other notable works include "Celule Avec Luminere un Vibration" (1968), which employs light projections to create rhythmic patterns that immerse the viewer in a sensorial experience.
Le Parc's explorations extend to various series such as the "Alchemy" and "Modulation" series, where he experiments with elements like water and light to investigate movement and perception. "Alchemy 175" and "Alchemy 216," from 1991 and 1992 respectively, reflect his fascination with the transformative properties of water and light, while "Modulation 1160" (2004) is recognized for its illusion of motion, showcasing Le Parc's continuous innovation.
Julio Le Parc's works have been exhibited globally, including at prestigious venues like the Perez Art Museum Miami and the Serpentine Sackler Gallery, among others, highlighting his international acclaim and influence.
For those intrigued by the immersive and interactive qualities of Julio Le Parc's art, subscribing for updates on new product sales and auction events related to his works can offer exclusive insights and opportunities to engage with the artist's pioneering contributions to kinetic and op art.
Ulrich Erben is a German painter. From 1980 to 2005, he was a Professor of Painting at the Kunstakademie Münster (University of Fine Arts Münster). He is known as a master of the color field style of abstract painting, closely related to abstract expressionism, in which he creates tension between a defined surface structure, his own method of applying paint to a canvas, and the relationship of various shades of white or color to each other in their placement as part of a composition on the flat plane of a canvas. In 1986 and 2008, he was awarded the Konrad-von-Soest Prize for Visual Arts by the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (Landscape Society Westphalia-Lippe).
Richard Joseph Anuszkiewicz was a prominent American artist celebrated for his foundational contributions to the Op Art movement. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Polish immigrant parents, Anuszkiewicz's early talent in art earned him scholarships, leading to his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Art and later, the Yale University School of Art and Architecture under Josef Albers. Albers, a pivotal figure in his career, inspired Anuszkiewicz to explore the intricacies of color and geometric forms, steering him away from realism towards a more abstract and mathematical approach to art.
Anuszkiewicz gained prominence in the 1960s, notably through his participation in the landmark exhibition "The Responsive Eye" at MoMA, which played a crucial role in propelling Op Art into mainstream recognition. His works, characterized by vibrant colors and geometric patterns, create illusions of depth and movement, challenging viewers' perceptions and offering a mesmerizing visual experience. His technique was not just about the visual impact; it was a meticulous, mathematical exploration of color and form, aiming to achieve a 'very, very mechanistic geometry' that was nonetheless romantic in its precision and purity.
Throughout his career, Anuszkiewicz's art evolved, yet he remained faithful to his intellectual and analytical approach, focusing on the optical effects of color and shape. His contributions extended beyond painting to include printmaking and sculpture, showcasing his versatility as an artist. Notably, his works are housed in prestigious collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, among others.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Anuszkiewicz's work embodies the confluence of scientific precision and artistic expression, offering insights into the profound impact of color and form on human perception. His legacy continues to inspire and challenge the boundaries of visual art.
If you're captivated by the transformative power of Op Art and the pioneering work of Richard Joseph Anuszkiewicz, sign up for updates. Stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to this remarkable artist's oeuvre, enriching your collection with pieces that resonate with history and innovation.
Jean Leppien (born Kurt Leppien) was a German-French painter.
From 1929, Leppien studied at the Bauhaus Dessau with Josef Albers, Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee. He lived in France since 1933, from where he was deported in 1944. After the war he stayed in France as Jean Leppien, where he exhibited at the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles. Leppien is one of the most important representatives of the Geometric abstraction in France. Stylistically, he is close to painters such as Alberto Magnelli, Jean Deyrolle, Michel Seuphor, Emile Gilioli and Aurélie Nemours.
Jean Leppien (born Kurt Leppien) was a German-French painter.
From 1929, Leppien studied at the Bauhaus Dessau with Josef Albers, Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee. He lived in France since 1933, from where he was deported in 1944. After the war he stayed in France as Jean Leppien, where he exhibited at the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles. Leppien is one of the most important representatives of the Geometric abstraction in France. Stylistically, he is close to painters such as Alberto Magnelli, Jean Deyrolle, Michel Seuphor, Emile Gilioli and Aurélie Nemours.
Jim Dine is an American artist whose œuvre extends over sixty years. Dine’s work includes painting, drawing, printmaking (in many forms including lithographs, etchings, gravure, intaglio, woodcuts, letterpress and linocuts), sculpture and photography; his early works encompassed assemblage and happenings, while in recent years his poetry output, both in publications and readings, has increased.
