Otto Modersohn - Moorlandschaft - image-1

Lot 477 D

Otto Modersohn - Moorlandschaft

Auction 1023 - overview Cologne
26.11.2013, 18:00 - Modern Art
Estimate: 15.000 € - 20.000 €

Otto Modersohn

Moorlandschaft
1938

Oil 70/70.5 x 100.5 cm O Modersohn 38.

Oil on canvas 70/70.5 x 100.5 cm, framed. Signed and dated 'O Modersohn 38.' lower right. - Professionally cleaned; edges slightly rubbed due to framing.

We would like to thank Rainer Noeres, Otto-Modersohn-Archive, Fischerhude, for his confirmatory and additional information. According to information from the archive, the painting is registered under the title "Moorlandschaft" (Moor Landscape); it is listed in the studio book for 1938 under no. 134 with the title "Moorlandschaft Herbstwolken" (Moor Landscape Autumn Clouds).

Provenance
Private possession, Hesse

This painting by Otto Modersohn depicts a deep and atmospheric moor landscape. He has recorded both the impressive cloud formations and the softly blended tones of the fields. The artist has captured a momentary impression of the rich, mysterious light and wild atmosphere of this harsh and open landscape, whilst at the same time the boundaries of definable form start to dissolve. “I always wish to work from nature, for her to be my teacher, but not to become trapped in mere imitation, to overcome and glorify her through art. What is not transformed by fantasy remains a mere copy. (...) Nature is in a way the grammar, it contains the components, but it is the job of the artist to create a whole. He needs to add spirit in order to create the best works.” (Otto Modersohn: Tagebuch 1 April 1897, in: Exhib. cat. Otto Modersohn und die Worpsweder Maler, Museum Folkwang, Essen 1966, n.p.).

Certificate

We would like to thank Rainer Noeres, Otto-Modersohn-Archive, Fischerhude, for confirmatory and additional information.

Provenance

Private possession, Hesse