Josef Albers
(German/ American, 1888-1976)
Structural Constellation, circa 1970
Etched glass, aluminum encasement, light
14 3/4" x 15 1/4" x 4"

A rare and exceptional light sculpture by the prominent Bauhaus artist and educator, created as part of his ongoing Structural Constellation series begun in 1950. Albers' Structural Constellations are linear compositions engraved with mathematical precision, studies of the perception of space. Though the vast majority of works in the series were two-dimensional in nature (drawings on paper or engraved forms on opaque Vinylite boards), Albers' use of glass for this sculpture literally adds a dimension of interest-- observable from opposite sides-- to say nothing of the added layer of fascination offered by the light element. Glass as a medium also represents a scarce late-career return for Albers to the artistic discipline that launched his career: not only was a glass piece his first commission, it was his also his glass expertise that initially earned him an instructor role at the Bauhaus.

This sculpture was featured on the Antiques Roadshow, original air date 3/31/2014, filmed in Kansas City, MO, appraised by Betty Krulik, Betty Krulik Fine Arts, Ltd. (New York). Artist-signed with an "A" monogram to the bottom corner. Includes a vintage custom-made case.

Provenance: A private Kansas City area collection, thence by descent, acquired as a gift from the Carborundum Company circa 1976, thence from the artist.

Good condition, noting mild wear to the aluminum and a couple of minor stray scratches to the glass. The light element is fully operational. As the glass slides are presently situated, one side of the sculpture shows the optical phenomenon of Newton's rings (a reflective pattern sometimes observable with two flat panes of glass in close proximity).