Beschreibung:

Roberto Matta Chilean, 1911-2002 Untitled Inscribed indistinctly on the reverse Oil on canvas 42 x 43 3/4 inches (106.7 x 111.1 cm) Provenance: G Gallery, New York, February 1964, invoice no. 582 Exhibited: Santa Fe, New Mexico, The Museum of New Mexico, John B.L. Goodwin Collection, March 19 - May 15, 1972 Roberto Antonio Sebasti~n Matta Echaurren (1911- 2002), usually known as Matta, was born in Santiago, Chile, where he studied architecture. Intellectually curious and restless, in 1933 he moved to Paris, where he met a number of important artists, including Pablo Picasso Marcel Duchamp Ren' Magritte, Salvador DalÑ, and Le Corbusier. The poet and theorist Andr' Breton took a particular interest in him, encouraging him to join the Surrealist movement. During the 1930s Matta developed an art of diffuse films of color, biomorphic forms, and bold lines. During this period he produced his "inscape," series, works that were intended as visual expressions of the "landscape" of his inner life. In 1938 he moved to the United States, where he remained for ten years. Here he began to work principally in oil on canvas as he continued to develop his expressive, semi-abstract works to depict the horrors of the Second World War. It was during this period that he produced the two "War Cartoons" in the present sale. During the 1950s and 1960s he divided his time between Europe and South America, and he became deeply involved in the political and social movements of the time. Matta greatly enjoyed the society of other creative people. He and John B. L. Goodwin became personal friends soon after Matta came to America, and Goodwin posed for the drawing "Hand and Foot" in this sale during one of Matta's visits to his home. Property from the Collection of John B.L. Goodwin from the Estate of Anthony P. Russo Estate of Anthony P. Russo
Two pinholes in canvas at upper right and 3 at upper left. Stretcher mark visible across the top edge. The canvas is strip-lined. The original canvas is worn along edges and worn through at corners. 8 patches on teh reverse, addressing tears. The tears have minimal inpaint and are configured as follows: Upper right - 1'' x 2'' repairs Upper center - 3'' repair Lower right - 2'' repair Lower left - Two 2'' and one 1/2'' repair Also minor inpaint 1/2'' area at upper right and 2 areas each 2'' long