KOLLER VIEW 4/24

pre view. 02 9 1 René Magritte (1898–1967). Moralité du sommeil. Circa 1941. Gouache on paper. 33 × 24.1 cm. Estimate: CHF 400 000/700 000 © 2024, ProLitteris, Zurich 2 Kurt Seligmann (1900–1961). Nocturne. 1950. Oil on canvas. 71.5 × 94.6 cm. Estimate: CHF 50 000/80 000 © Orange County Citizens Foundation / 2024, ProLitteris, Zurich Insight through illusion Preview of the Modern Art auction on 29 November 2024 Paradoxical, dream-like pictorial worlds are the hall- mark of René Magritte. He presented everyday ob- jects and scenes in new, often perplexing constella- tions. This artistic concept inspired the viewer in his time (here in the early 1940s) and continues to do so today, to question familiar perceptions and discover hidden meanings in what is visible. A characteristic feature of his works are contradictions, such as the flowing blonde hair that seems to envelop a female figure here. But instead of a body, the hair frames a grid, thus deconstructing the realistic imagery in fa- vour of a staged illusion. The subject of this expressive gouache (ill. 1) has its origin in two of Magritte’s works entitled ‘Le thérapeute’ – created in gouache in 1936, and then in 1937 in oil. A woman with long flowing hair can also be found in the painting ‘La connaissance na- turelle’ from early 1941. Finally, one of the illustrations that Magritte drew for Paul Éluard's poem ‘Moralité du sommeil’ shows exactly the same figure. His poet friend, one of the most important representatives of ‘My entire childhood was steeped in the old ideal of the soldier of fortune, which has left an indelible im- pression on Basel since the 15 th century. The heraldic signs, the armour, the flags, the draperies, the ribbons – all this anachronistic paraphernalia was very much alive for me. It seemed as if I could still hear the deaf- ening sound of the huge drums reserved for the carni- val days inside me’ (quoted from Henri Héraut, 1935). literary Surrealism, played a major role in organising the ‘Exposition Internationale du Surréalisme’, which took place in 1938 in the Galerie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Kurt Seligmann's wide-ranging oeuvre extends from graphic art to painting and book illustration, as well as stained glass and collage. Born in Basel, he also lived and worked in Paris and later in New York. He came into contact with Surrealist artists early on; he also maintained ties to his hometown through his mem- bership in the artist collective ‘Gruppe 33’. André Bret- on, the central figure of the Surrealist movement in France, integrated Seligmann into the group. In the fol- lowing years, he was in close contact with Max Ernst, Hans Arp and other Surrealist protagonists and, like Magritte, took part in the ‘Exposition Internationale du Surréalisme’. Seligmann’s painting in our upcoming auction (ill. 2) shows a kind of nocturnal procession reminiscent of medieval processions and festivals. For further information Impressionist & Modern Art Jara Koller & Cyril Koller jara.koller@kollerauctions.com Online Catalogues www.kollerauctions.com 3 Man Ray (1890–1976). Natural painting. 1958. Acrylic on board. 18 × 24 cm. Estimate: CHF 8 000/12 000 ©Man Ray 2015 Trust / 2024, ProLitteris, Zurich 2 3