Oil on canvas, relined at the edges
USA, circa 1940
George Grosz (1893-1959) - German painter and printmaker of the New Objectivity
Verso with the signature stamp as well as the estate stamp and the handwritten inventory no. ‘I-A3-10’
This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity by Ralph Jentsch, Rome, dated December 10, 2013; the painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of paintings being in preparation
Dimensions: 70 x 56 cm
Partly gilt wooden frame: 81 x 67 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Estate of the artist; Richard A. Cohn, New York, 1970; Karl & Faber Munich, Auction 137, 24./25. 5. 1974, cat. no. 951; Sotheby Mak v. Waay, Amsterdam, Auction 30, 30. 10. 1979, cat. no. 507; Kunstgaleriej Albricht B. V., Velp, 1993; Galerie Fischer, Luzern, Auction 11-14. 5. 1993, cat. no. 2138; Galerie Koller, Zürich, Auction 3./4. 11. 1995, cat. no. 3427
A typical erotic nude after Grosz' emigration to the United States. The current highest auction record for a painting by Grosz in a similar size is approximately €800,000
Object is regular taxed. 19% VAT is added to the purchase price for deliveries within the EU.

After George Grosz (1893-1959) had emigrated to the United States in 1933, his artistic work became more decorative in contrast to the politicized early works. He painted balanced landscapes, still lifes and nudes. Grosz’ erotic works in oil, ink and watercolor emerged from the late 1930s. Grosz certainly dealt with erotic motifs throughout his career. In the American society of the 1940s and 1950s, however, these were given a special status, because they were rejected by the majority of the Americans due to their sexual laxity. However, Grosz did not limit his production. On the contrary, he produced several hundred nudes, for which often his wife Eva acted as a model.

Condition:

The painting shows a tiny loss of color at the upper edge. The canvas has been relined at the edges. In the upper part there are minor pressure marks caused by the stretcher. Otherwise, the painting is in good condition. Inspection under UV light reveals scattered areas of retouching at the figure and to the lower left margin. The frame shows light wear. The painting measures 70 x 56 cm, the framed dimensions are 81 x 67 cm.

George Grosz (1893-1959)

The Berlin-born Georg Ehrenfried Groß, later George Grosz, first attended the Academy of Arts in Dresden. In 1912, he returned to his hometown, where he continued his art studies under Emil Orlik. A year later, he went to Paris, where he attended the Académie Colarossi. In 1915, Groß met Helmut Herzfeld (John Heartfield) and, like Herzfeld, anglicized his name. Along with the Herzfeld brothers, he founded the Malik publishing company. In 1918, Grosz was one of the founders of ‘Dada Berlin’. In the subsequent years, the artist primarily dealt with the theme of the big city and the German bourgeois society, which he portrayed with socio-critical and ironical punch. Grosz was the editor of several satirical magazines and developed collage and photomontage along with John Heartfield. In 1933, he moved to the United States. Here he taught at the Art Students League in New York as well as the Art School of the Columbia University and opened an art school along with Maurice Sterne. In his late work, George Grosz turned to landscape and nude painting. (cko)

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