Property Sold to Benefit Artis Contemporary Israeli Art Fund, Inc.

Ido Michaeli (b. 1980)
The Black Panther Crosses the Bronx River

Signed with initials and dated 16
Watercolor on paper
9 ½ x 9 inches
Framed: 16 x 16 ½ inches

Provenance: Donated by the artist

This work is a preliminary study for the tapestry Black Panther Got Loose from the Bronx Zoo, which was created by the artist in 2017 and is now in an important private Israeli art collection. The tapestry is based on a historical episode: a young panther escaped the Bronx Zoo, evaded a police pursuit, dove into the Bronx River, and swam to his freedom. The story was reported in the New York Times in 1902. MichaeliÂ’s tapestry and the cartoons and preparatory drawings which preceded the weaving of the tapestry look back at the long tradition of European tapestry making, which often depicted triumphal hunting scenes.The project is inspired in particular by the celebrated series of European tapestries The Hunt of the Unicorn from the 15th Century. In the contemporary era, the story of the black pantherÂ’s escape from the Bronx Zoo resonates in new ways and with new meaning.

Important Notice: This work is located in New York, NY. Items in this sale are located in different locations. Please request a shipping quote at your earliest convenience and at least 48 hours in advance of the auction.

Condition: Very good condition; slight abrasion to frame (see photos)