891/​1532

Sigurjon Olafsson (b. Eyrarbakki, Iceland 1908, d. Iceland 1982)

“Sculpture”, modelled 1939, later casting. Inscribed Sigurjón Ólafsson 2/6. Patinated bronze. 55×21×20 cm.

Literature: Sculptor Sigurjón Ólafsson (1908–1982) Catalogue Raisonné, no. LSÓ 259.

Exhibited (edition 1/6): “Lavaens blå blomst (Hraunblóm)”, Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum, Reykjavik 2005, Akureyri Art Museum, Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelts Museum, Herning and Nordatlantens Brygge, Copenhagen, 2006. Exhibited (edition 1/6): “Tracks in Sand. Sigurjón Ólafsson Retrospective”, Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum & the National Gallery of Iceland, 2014, ill. in the catalogue p. 26. Exhibited (edition 1/6): “War Horses. Helhesten and the Danish Avant-Garde During World War II”, NSU Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale, 2015 and Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelts Museum, Herning, 2016, ill. in the catalogue p. 29. Exhibited (edition 1/6): “Mangfoldige former”, Sigurjón Ólafsson Retrospective exhibition, Museum Sønderjylland - Kunstmuseet i Tønder, 2019–20, ill. in the catalogue p. 169. Provenance: Sigurjón Ólafsson Estate.

The sculpture is a study for the wooden pedestal that supported the part of “The Dragon” sculpture that was made of concrete (1939 - LSÓ 1051). It is shaped like a stylized human creature holding an organic form with its hands. The figure could symbolize life itself versus the all-destroying Dragon, which according to the artist's statement was his protest against the Nazi regime of the Germans. The dragon has been lost but was part of the following exhibitions: “The Artists' Autumn Exhibition”, 1940, No. 229 (Abstract Sculpture), “Bellevue - Thirteen Artists in Tent“, 1941, No. 96 (Abstract Sculpture) and ”Sculpture Exhibition in the Garden Society's Garden", 1943, No. 121 (The Dragon).

A contemporary photo shows Sigurjón Ólafsson in his studio at Nyhavn 63, Copenhagen, in the process of cutting off the plaster mold for the draft of the Dragon sculpture's wooden base.

This lot is subject to Artist's Royalty.
Condition

A few mininal surface scratches and marks. Otherwise, good original condition.

Additional Remarks

Please note: The item is subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act. In the event of a hammer price of DKK 50,000 or more, including buyer’s premium, the buyer must submit a copy of a valid photo ID and proof of address in order to collect the item.

Auction

Paintings and sculptures, 4 December 2019

Category
Estimate

60,000 DKK

Price realised

Not sold