Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art

Live Auction, 20 May 2019

Evening Sale

Sold for

ZAR 227 600
Lot 261
  • Alexis Preller; Two Male Nudes
  • Alexis Preller; Two Male Nudes
  • Alexis Preller; Two Male Nudes
  • Alexis Preller; Two Male Nudes
  • Alexis Preller; Two Male Nudes


Lot Estimate
ZAR 250 000 - 400 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 227 600

About this Item

South African 1911-1975
Two Male Nudes
signed, dated 34 and inscribed with 'Studio (or Student) Painting, Mark Gertler corrections' on the margin of the canvas.
oil on canvas
49 by 38cm excluding frame

Notes

Alexis Preller studied under Mark Gertler at the Westminster School of Art in London in 1934, the year that Two Male Nudes was painted. This imposing and earnest painting is of particular significance as it is the first known painting by Preller of the male nude, a subject he was to revisit throughout his life. Preller clearly valued this study as it remained in his collection throughout his life, only being sold as part of his estate sale in 1978, following the death of the artist and his partner Guna Massyn in 1975.

Provenance

Volks Art Auctions, Pretoria, 3 March 1978, Paintings, Intaglios and Drawings by Alexis Preller, Estate Late Alexis Preller and Estate Late Guna Massyn, Lot 1. The catalogue entry for the auction states 'Inscribed on fold of canvas: Studio Painting, Mark Gertler corrections'.

View all Alexis Preller lots for sale in this auction


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