Lot 58 D

The “Kopffüßler” (Head-Footer) by Horst Antes are references to the human body, reduced to those parts that the artist deems essential. They are either reduced to the sole representation of the head, which is invariably disproportionately enlarged, or additionally supplemented by legs, feet, and sometimes arms. The torso is basically never part of the depiction - Antes considers it unimportant.
“So not the objective physical dimensions of the human body are relevant, but the subjective perspective of the dimensional ratio of the human body and its functions. A comparison mentioned by Antes may be quoted here in which he specifies the dimensions of a tangibly aching tooth as the dimensional ratio. When the tooth aches, it is much larger than usual. The dimensions of the body parts are defined by the dimensions of the function intended for it. That is why eyes appear twice in Antes' figures, why feet or noses are particularly large or why there are no ears at all. Individual body parts are not compiled according to any principles of legitimacy, but are set into awareness as individual components.” (Ulrike Lehmann, in: Horst Antes. Druckgraphik, farbige Blätter, Zeichnungen, Collagen und Skulpturen, exhib.cat. Sprengel Museum Hanover 1989, p.15).
Taking this definition as a starting point, one can look out for elements that are of particular importance for Antes in this “Portrait for Emilio” on offer here, dedicated to the sculptor Emil Cimiotti. The disproportionately large nose dominating the head and the doubled eyes are typical of his “Kopffüßler”. Particularly conspicuous are the body parts, usually neglected by Antes, but which, in this case, are explicitly included in the composition: the hand that appears to be pressing a sort of black bandage on the side of the head, and the shoulders that extend the figure to an almost classic head and shoulder portrait. The vivid colours are also unusual. These unregular spots suffuse the skin and form a lively contrast to the surrounding black surfaces.