Watercolor (watercolor and diluted acrylic paint, sprayed) on cardboard
Austria, 1986
Gottfried Helnwein (born 1948) – One of the most famous Austrian contemporary artists
Signed in pencil lower right ‘Helnwein’
Overall dimensions, with frame: 112 x 84 cm
Good condition
Provenance: German private collection
A stirring work of Gottfried Helnwein, who became famous with his portraits of children painted in a hyper-realistic style in the late 1970s. The Albertina honored him with a retrospective last year. Also in 2013, auctionata sold Helnwein's watercolor ‘The Song’ for more than 40,000 euros

The present watercolor titled ‘The Sacrilege’ is the work of Gottfried Helnwein, one of the best-known Austrian contemporary artists, and dates from 1986. It is the model for a lithograph, published under the same title. The artistically impeccable painting depicts a girl with her head down in a barren corner, holding her hands before her face. The theatrical atmosphere of the scene is enhanced by the dramatic light and shadow effects. Representations that address the vulnerability and innocence of children play a central role in the work of Helnwein, who is strongly influenced by his childhood memories in post-war Vienna. Helnwein's works are direct, cruel, monumental and deeply touching. They stir up unpleasant and repressed issues, yet leave the viewer alone in finding answers.



The watercolor is signed in pencil lower right, ‘Helnwein‘. It is in good condition. The lower area shows some small stains and blemishes, which are only apparent upon close inspection. The frame shows some nicks. The overall dimensions with frame are 112 x 84 cm. The dimensions of the sheet are 73 x 102 cm.

Gottfried Helnwein (b. 1948)

Gottfried Helnwein was born 1948 in Vienna and is considered one of the best-known Austrian contemporary artists. He studied painting in Rudolf Hausner’s (1914-1995) master class at the Academy of the Fine Arts in Vienna between 1969 and 1973. Helnwein often works with diverse materials and has consequently created an extensive body of work, including paintings, photography, performance, and installations. In 1997, he moved to Ireland with his family and became an Irish citizen in 2004. He purchased a second studio in Los Angeles in 2002. Gottfried Helnwein is internationally successful and his works are exhibited worldwide. He has had numerous solo exhibitions, for example in Paris, San Francisco, Beijing or Saint Petersburg. Last year, a large retrospective of his works was shown in the Albertina in Vienna. Gottfried Helnwein lives and works in Ireland and Los Angeles.

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