Lot 3453 - A203 PostWar & Contemporary - Thursday, 01. December 2022, 02.00 PM
NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE
(Neuilly-sur Seine 1930–2002 San Diego)
L'Oiseau Amoureux. 1990/92.
Painted polyester.
Signed at the foot: Niki de Saint Phalle, as well as with the incised number and signature: 1/3 Niki de Saint Phalle. Furthermore with the foundry stamp: Haligon.
155 × 150 × 60 cm.
With the confirmation of authenticity by the Niki Charitable Art Foundation, Santee, California, 8 November 2022. This work is recorded there under the number: 06-1992B-002. We thank the Niki Charitable Art Foundation for their kind support.
Provenance:
- Artist's studio.
- Galerie Jamileh Weber, Zurich.
- Purchased from the above by the present owner in 1994, since then private collection Switzerland.
"Les oiseaux sont omniprésents dans mon œuvre: des oiseaux immortels, tristes, triomphants, affamés. Les oiseaux sont des messagers de notre monde vers l'autre. Mon ange gardien est un oiseau." Niki de Saint Phalle
The French-Swiss sculptor and painter Niki de Saint Phalle was one of the most important artistic personalities of the 20th century. Numerous colourful sculptures and architectural works by the artist, who knew no bounds to her creativity, adorn public spaces worldwide. A self-taught artist, she became world-famous with her sensual opulent female figures, the “Nanas”, which radiate a seemingly carefree cheerfulness.
This remarkable work “L'Oiseau Amoureux” was created between 1990 and 1992 in the art studio of the Haligon family. Niki de Saint Phalle created an imposing, majestic-looking eagle-like bird in polyester, its body painted with bold contrasting ornaments and circular shapes. With its large outstretched wings, it offers shelter to a female figure who tenderly embraces this bird of the imagination. The iconic Nana symbolises fertility, freedom, and love. Her face is turned away. In this constellation, the artist illustrates the effervescence of life, its give-and-take, in a loving way. Unlike her project “Paradis Fantastique”, where Jean Tinguely's sharp, black machines clash with Niki de Saint Phalle's round colourful sculptures, in the present work the two creatures form a balanced entity.
Provenance:
- Artist's studio.
- Galerie Jamileh Weber, Zurich.
- Purchased from the above by the present owner in 1994, since then private collection Switzerland.
"Les oiseaux sont omniprésents dans mon œuvre: des oiseaux immortels, tristes, triomphants, affamés. Les oiseaux sont des messagers de notre monde vers l'autre. Mon ange gardien est un oiseau." Niki de Saint Phalle
The French-Swiss sculptor and painter Niki de Saint Phalle was one of the most important artistic personalities of the 20th century. Numerous colourful sculptures and architectural works by the artist, who knew no bounds to her creativity, adorn public spaces worldwide. A self-taught artist, she became world-famous with her sensual opulent female figures, the “Nanas”, which radiate a seemingly carefree cheerfulness.
This remarkable work “L'Oiseau Amoureux” was created between 1990 and 1992 in the art studio of the Haligon family. Niki de Saint Phalle created an imposing, majestic-looking eagle-like bird in polyester, its body painted with bold contrasting ornaments and circular shapes. With its large outstretched wings, it offers shelter to a female figure who tenderly embraces this bird of the imagination. The iconic Nana symbolises fertility, freedom, and love. Her face is turned away. In this constellation, the artist illustrates the effervescence of life, its give-and-take, in a loving way. Unlike her project “Paradis Fantastique”, where Jean Tinguely's sharp, black machines clash with Niki de Saint Phalle's round colourful sculptures, in the present work the two creatures form a balanced entity.
CHF 140 000 / 180 000 | (€ 144 330 / 185 570)
Sold for CHF 341 900 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.