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Untitled

Date
1963
Material
Ink on paper
Classification
Drawings & watercolors
Current Location
Not on view
Dimensions
irregular: 16 3/4 x 12 1/8 in. (42.5 x 30.8 cm)
Credit Line
Partial and promised gift of Betsy Millard, the Earl and Betsy Millard Collection
Rights
© 2008 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Object Number
101:2003
NOTES
Eugen Schönebeck's drawing is an abstract representation of a seated, androgynous figure. The minute doodles that comprise the figural form are fully improvised. The gestural quality of this work finds its roots in a post-World War II French artistic style known as Art Informel. This abstract art movement encouraged expressive impulses of artists over representational imagery. Schöenbeck noted, "We found the spontaneity and lack of literalism in French abstraction liberating…It helped us escape, to a certain extent, the shadows of Hitler and Stalin."
1963 -
Eugen Schönebeck, Berlin, Germany

by 1986 -
Galerie Silvia Menzel, Berlin, Germany [1]

Walter and Molly Bareiss, Greenwich, CT, USA [2]

- 1994
Nolan/Eckman Gallery, New York, NY, USA

1994/03/26 -
Earl Millard (d.1996) and Betsy Millard, St. Louis, MO, USA, purchased from Nolan/Eckman Gallery [3]

2003 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, partial and promised gift of Betsy Millard [4]


Notes:
The primary source of provenance is Betsy Millard [information for appraisal form, SLAM document files]. Supplemental sources listed below.

[1] The work is listed in the exhibition catalogue "Eugen Schönebeck: Zeichnungen 1960-1963," Berlin: Galerie Silvia Menzel, 1987 (no cat #).

[2] An E-mail dated April 9, 2005 from Katherine Chan of the Nolan/Eckman Gallery to Museum researcher Sydney Norton states that the drawing was once in the collection of Walter and Molly Bareiss. Ms. Chan was unable to provide dates of possession or to comment on whether the Nolan/Eckman Gallery purchased the work directly from the Bareisses. Since the Millards purchased the drawing in 1994, the gallery no longer keeps records on the work. It is likely, however, that the gallery did acquired the drawing directly from Bareisses, since they are the only American provenance source listed as having owned the drawing before the Nolan/Eckman Gallery [SLAM document files].

[3] Invoice dated March 26, 1994 addressed to Earl and Betsy Millard from the Nolan/Eckman Gallery [SLAM document files].

[4] The terms of this partial and promised gift are detailed in the contract between Betsy Millard and the Saint Louis Art Museum [Gift and Loan Agreement between Betsy Millard and SLAM, signed (no day or month) 2003, SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, June 3, 2003.

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.