Seated Male Nude – Morocco
- Date
- 1976
- Material
- Oil on canvas
- Classification
- Paintings
- Collection
- Modern and Contemporary Art
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 98 7/16 x 78 3/4 in. (250 x 200 cm)
framed: 100 x 80 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (254 x 204.5 x 3.8 cm) - Credit Line
- Funds given in memory of Dr. Alvin R. Frank
- Rights
- © Georg Baselitz 1976
- Object Number
- 54:1998
NOTES
At first glance, this painting by Georg Baselitz may appear to be an abstract composition of expressive brushstrokes. Upon closer inspection, the representational subject matter of the work becomes apparent. Baselitz presents a seated self-portrait shown upside-down; the artist’s bald, bearded head appears near the bottom of the canvas. In many of his paintings, the artist inverted his subject matter in order to prevent the viewer from registering only the representational content in his work. This tactic slows down the viewer’s act of looking and draws attention to the physical handling of paint.
Provenance
Michael Werner Gallery, New York, NY, USA; Cologne, Germany
Hans Peter Held, Hamburg, Germany [1]
Private Collection
by 1988 - 1998
Michael Werner Gallery, New York, NY, USA; Cologne, Germany [2]
1998 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from the Michael Werner Gallery [3]
Notes:
This provenance was provided by the Michael Werner Gallery [undated information sheet, SLAM document files].
[1] "Seated Male Nude - Morocco" was included in an exhibition of art in private collections in Hamburg in 1985 ["Museum? Museum! Museum: Kunst von heute aus Hamburger Privatsammlungen." Braunschweig: Waisenhaus, 1985, p. 126-127]. At that time, it may have been in the collection of Hans Peter Held or in the unidentified private collection that owned the painting after Held.
[2] A 1988 exhibition catalogue names Michael Werner Gallery as the owner ["Georg Baselitz: Bilder 1965-1987." Milan: Electa, 1988].
[3] Invoice dated October 1, 1998 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, October 28, 1998.
Hans Peter Held, Hamburg, Germany [1]
Private Collection
by 1988 - 1998
Michael Werner Gallery, New York, NY, USA; Cologne, Germany [2]
1998 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from the Michael Werner Gallery [3]
Notes:
This provenance was provided by the Michael Werner Gallery [undated information sheet, SLAM document files].
[1] "Seated Male Nude - Morocco" was included in an exhibition of art in private collections in Hamburg in 1985 ["Museum? Museum! Museum: Kunst von heute aus Hamburger Privatsammlungen." Braunschweig: Waisenhaus, 1985, p. 126-127]. At that time, it may have been in the collection of Hans Peter Held or in the unidentified private collection that owned the painting after Held.
[2] A 1988 exhibition catalogue names Michael Werner Gallery as the owner ["Georg Baselitz: Bilder 1965-1987." Milan: Electa, 1988].
[3] Invoice dated October 1, 1998 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, October 28, 1998.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.