ZHONG CHENG

  • Zhong Cheng 2019 Autumn Auction「Morden And Contemporary Art」
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    190

    GEORGES MATHIEU (1921-2012)

    Ramira

    1970

    Oil on Canvas
    97 x 162 cm

    Signed Mathieu in English, dated 1970 Signed on the reverse: Titled in English

    Estimate TWD 4,800,000-6,000,000
    USD 156,800-196,000
    HKD 0-0

    Hammer Price TWD 5,040,000
    USD 165,626
    HKD 1,305,699

With a certificate of authenticity from gallery

Provenance：Private collection, Paris Sotheby’s, Hong Kong, 4th December 2014 Lot 106 Private collection, Asia

Illustrated：

Exhibition：

Exposition：The authenticity of this work is confirmed by the artist’s foundation

Leading advocate of the Art Informel movement (the French version of Abstract Expressionism), George Mathieu was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer in 1921, a historic and cultural region of northern France. The cathedrals in Boulogne-sur-Mer exerted influence down the centuries in matter of faith and politics. As a child, Mathieu grew up surrounded by monuments of the Middle Ages, and experienced the great war filled with glory days of the proud and invasive French Empire. In 1993, he moved to Versailles, the historical scenery of the former Louis dynasty due to his strong affection for the sacred monarchy. Gradually, he cultivated a “transcendent aristocratic character” in art, that was coined to praise him by future art critics. During schooling, he developed a special fondness for literature, law and philosophy, the large amount of learning deepened his thinking and later serve as the foundation of his highly spiritual artistic creation.

Mathieu promoted an art style free from constraints of figurative paintings and conventional aesthetic standards. Like a prophet of Modern Abstraction, Mathieu foresaw a unique way of creating, where he integrated the expressive and improvisation of performing art into painting. Although paintings are restricted by two-dimensional plane, Mathieu conveyed three-dimensional splendor by painting in “action.” It was a real battle between the artist and his canvas, in this “battle” he created dynamic pieces one after another; each with stirred and flipped spirals in intense and contrasting colors. During the same time which Mathieu took the initiative to introduce American Abstract Expressionism into Europe, by bringing Parisian and American artists together. His contribution in the art movements was recognized by many, including world-renowned American critic Clement Greenberg, who called him “the greatest artist in Europe.” 

In the late 1940s, Mathieu befriended Chinese artist San Yu, Zao Wou-Ki and Xie Jinglan. The exchange between them led him closer to oriental calligraphy. In the beginning, he emphasized speed and adventure before gradually inserting delicate emotions and oriental philosophy to develop, “calligraphy and splashes” -a brand new manifestation filled with rich brushstrokes with calligraphy features, resembling personal manuscripts and oriental ink drawings. He was awarded by the first French Minist of Culture, George André Malraux who celebrated his achievement and said, “There is finally a Western calligrapher!” Mathieu’s artworks in the 1970s is the most elegant and magnificent, showing extraordinary timeless temperament. More than an artist, he excels in various fields including design and architecture, he was even invited by the Monnale de Paris to design the national 10 franc, one of the biggest project at the time. The painting Ramira was also the pinnacle of this period, in Spanish Ramira it means “wise” suggesting the artist has reached enlightenment on a spiritual level; and was able to inspire others through his energy within. Moreover, it echoes the creative core of the artist’s self exploration. Against the bright red background, the wild brush strokes are fast but precise, with short line as sharp as a blades. The work unleash continuous conflict between passion and restraint, as if the painter is dancing in a passionate manner but with the most graceful poise. 

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