Max Ernst (1891-1976) - photo 1
Max Ernst (1891-1976) - photo 2
Max Ernst (1891-1976) - photo 3
Max Ernst (1891-1976) - photo 4
Max Ernst (1891-1976) - photo 5

Max Ernst (1891-1976)

Lot 127
10.04.2024 14:00UTC +01:00
Classic
Sold
€ 138 600
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationFrance, Paris
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1178579
Lot 127 | Max Ernst (1891-1976)
Estimate value
€ 100 000 – 150 000
Max Ernst (1891-1976)

Fleurs sur fond vert

signé et daté 'max ernst 28' (en bas à droite)

huile et grattage sur toile

53.7 x 65 cm.

Peint en 1928



signed and dated 'max ernst 28' (lower right)

oil and grattage on canvas

21 1⁄8 x 25 ½ in.

Painted in 1928





Provenance

Jeanne Fouque, Paris.

Acquis auprès de celle-ci par la famille du propriétaire actuel en 1953.



Further details

Jürgen Pech a confirmé l'authenticité de cette œuvre.

Peint en 1928, Fleurs sur fond vert appartient à une série réalisée par Max Ernst dans la continuité des collages et frottages exécutés sur le même thème au début de la décennie. La découverte d'une nouvelle technique baptisée "grattage" permet à l'artiste d'adapter à l'huile l'effet de "frottage" initialement exploré sur papier, pour des nouveaux développements sur toile. Après avoir appliqué des couches successives de peinture de différentes couleurs sur la toile posée sur une surface dure en relief, Max Ernst prélève la matière sèche au couteau, révélant un kaléidoscope de couleur dont l'aspect doit autant aux choix de l'artiste qu'au hasard des effets produits par la superposition des pigments. Pour accentuer la présence des éléments grattés et mettre en valeur le grain de leur surface, ceux-ci sont généralement, comme dans la présente oeuvre, apposés sur de larges aplats de couleur.
Evoquant les étranges structures organiques ainsi révélées, tout à la fois fleur, coquillage et formation géologique, Ludger Derenthal écrit: "Les fleurs-coquillages apparaissent d'abord par deux et en petits groupes; plus tard, des jardins nocturnes entiers en seront plantés. Il convient de se remettre en mémoire ici les peintures de planches d'études botaniques à l'époque Dada, où les plantes étaient elles aussi isolées et placées sur un horizon bas [...] Les Fleurs-coquillages sont d'un attrait coloriste délicat. Le peintre remplace le collagiste. Max Ernst se situe ainsi dans la tradition de James Ensor et d'Odilon Redon, artistes chez qui des coquillages se transforment occasionnellement en fleurs. C'est là une technique brillante qui permet de mettre à profit la valeur picturale des deux sujets" (Max Ernst, Paris, 1992, p. 124).

Painted in 1928, Fleurs sur fond vert is part of a series realised by Max Ernst as an extension of the collages and frottages (rubbings) on the same theme made at the beginning of the decade. The discovery of a new technique called grattage (scraping) enabled the artist to apply to painting the effect of the "frottage" initially explored on paper, and consequently to create new developments on canvas. After having applied successive layers of different colours of paint to the canvas laid on to a hard-textured surface, Ernst removed the dry medium with a knife, revealing a kaleidoscope of colours beneath, the aspect of which owes as much to the artist's choice as to the effects produced by the superposition of pigments. To accentuate the presence of scraped elements and highlight the grain of their surface, they are generally, as in the present work, shown against large coloured areas. With reference to the strange organic structures revealed in this manner, simultaneously flower, shell and geological form, Ludger Derenthal writes "The shell-flowers first appear in twos and in small groups; later entire nocturnal gardens would be planted. At this point, one should remember the paintings of botanical studies of the Dada period, where plants were also isolated and placed over a low horizon. [...] The Shell-flowers are delicately and attractively coloured. The painter replaces the collagist. Max Ernst follows the traditions of James Ensor and Odilon Redon, who also occasionally transformed shells into flowers. It is a brilliant technique which explores the painterly value of both subjects" (Max Ernst, Paris, 1992, p. 124).
Artist:Max Ernst (1891 - 1976)
Applied technique:Oil on canvas
Auction house category:Paintings, Watercolors, Drawings, Paintings
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
9 Avenue Matignon
75008 Paris
France
Preview
10.04.2024 – 10.04.2024
Phone +33 (0)1 40 76 85 85
Fax +33 (0)1 40 76 85 86
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@AGLSDAYQG1LYAK3YGRQ@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:00 – 00:00    00:00 – 18:00
Tu 09:00 – 00:00    00:00 – 18:00
We 09:00 – 00:00    00:00 – 18:00
Th 09:00 – 00:00    00:00 – 18:00
Fr 09:00 – 00:00    00:00 – 18:00
Sa closed
Su closed

More from Creator

MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
£150 000
MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
£15 000
MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
£6 000
MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
£35 000
PÉRET, Benjamin (1899-1959) et Max ERNST (1891-1976)
PÉRET, Benjamin (1899-1959) et Max ERNST (1891-1976)
€9 500
MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
MAX ERNST (1891-1976)
$400 000
Max Ernst (1891-1976)
Max Ernst (1891-1976)
€30 000
Max Ernst (1891-1976)
Max Ernst (1891-1976)
€350 000

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.