Acrylic on Canvas in the manner/style of Robert Combas. Our definition of “In the manner/style of”: The auction house believes that the work is done in the manner or style of the named artist and possibly after their lifetime, but the actual authorship is unknown. Dimensions: 80 x 90 cm. Artist information: Robert Combas (born 25 May 1957, Lyon) is a French painter and sculptor. He lives and works in Paris. He is widely recognized as a progenitor of the figuration libre movement that began in Paris around 1980 as a reaction to the art establishment in general and minimalism and conceptual art in particular. Figuration libre is often regarded as having roots in Fauvism and Expressionism and is linked to contemporary movements such as Bad Painting and Neo-expressionism. It draws on pop cultural influences such as graffiti, cartoons and rock music in an attempt to produce a more varied, direct and honest reflection of contemporary society, often satirizing or critiquing its excesses. Combas’ own work has always been strongly rooted in depictions of the human figure. The figures are often in wild, violent or orgiastic settings. Usually on large, often unstretched canvases, Combas crowds his flat pictorial space with a teeming proliferation of bodies, street poetry and designs reminiscent of the compulsive patterning in much folk and outsider art. He creates hectic narratives of war, crime, sex, celebration and transgression—in short, every phase that makes up the constant flux of modern life. In recent years a strong autobiographical strain has been evident in his work, which was present only on a subliminal level, if at all, in the earlier work. Combas often seems to be offering the work as critique—of both the art establishment and society at large. The recent painting “I am greedy man” features a densely layered jostle of bodies, with the foreground dominated by transparent line figures, the background occupied by monochromatic figures and the middle ground reserved for two more fully realized figures, one in a business suit and the other muscular and shirtless. They dance in a swirl of text which seems to have no discernible beginning or end but which may be read as: “I am greedy man/ Please shout me babe/ Soul serenade is a lot of pussy/ Pussy gone on the Eiffel Tower/ My Eiffel Tower is long and large.” The lampoon of a society where all are anonymous except in the individual recognition of need and gratification is typical of Combas’ work throughout his career. While Combas’ works often seem to carry an element of shock or confrontation, he insists the images are meant to engage the viewer, and their execution in vibrant color and bold, unfettered line communicate a spirit of proletarian camaraderie that offsets the tendency to overwhelm, in the larger works especially. Provenance: Private Collection France. Lots that do not carry established documented provenance, nor any past auction record are described in this catalog as "in the manner/style of". Pieces are being sold "As Is". No additional information regarding provenance will be provided after the auction. It is fully bidders' responsibility to check, read the description well and review the photos of this item or lot before bidding. Customers must agree to purchase our item acknowledging the descriptions presented. Shipping: Buyer pays shipping costs. We combine your shipping, if you buy more than one item. All shipments will be shipped by DHL EXPRESS, fast, easy and safe to track after we ship your item. Any questions, you can contact us 24/7.

Good Condition