KOLLER VIEW 2/24

pre view. 02 3 Many of Manolo Valdés’ works oscillate between painting and sculpture, combining both mediums. The quotations from art history that the artist blithely incor- porates into his pictures are unmistakable – creating a sort of journey among the wealth of forms developed through the centuries. He draws on this extensive artis- tic repertoire, producing witty yet historically informed works. Matisse, Picasso, Brancusi and Warhol, as well as old masters such as Hans Baldung Grien, Velasquez and Rembrandt shine through Valdés’ paintings into our time. Manolo Valdés began his artistic career together with Rafael Solbes (1940–1981) and Juan Antonio Toledo (1940–1995). They founded the artist group Equipo Crónica in 1964, which was strongly oriented toward the American Pop Art movement, and made important artistic and political statements in post-war Spain. The motif of the female head plays a central role in Valdés’ oeuvre, and he returns to its multifaceted de- piction time and again, as in the large-format collage ‘Dorothy IX’ from 2003 in our 20 June auction. He uses a few striking lines to formulate the frontally depicted face, overlaid with various layers of paper, jute and yarn that cover the motif like a kind of veil. Thanks to the voluminous jute collage and the powerful, broad brushstrokes, her hair seems to dance like an ornament around her peaceful face. 1 Manolo Valdés (1942). Dorothy IX. 2003. Oil, paper and jute collage with yarn and staples, on jute. 210 × 230 cm. Estimate: CHF 180 000/300 000 © 2024, ProLitteris, Zurich For further information PostWar & Contemporary Art Clarisse Doge & Jara Koller doge@kollerauctions.com Online Catalogues www.kollerauctions.com Historically informed: Manolo Valdés Preview of the PostWar & Contemporary Art auction on 20 June 2024 1