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• Auction House:
  W T Macalister
• Sale Name:
  40 Years of Leo Bensemann
• Sale Date:
  28 Mar 2012 ~ 6:30pm (NZDT)
• Lot #:
  2
• Lot Description:
  Leo Bensemann
  (1912-1986)
  A similar ambiguity attaches to the powerful portrait of a darkwoman in half-profile which probably dates from a similar period to the ‘The Turk' (O
  Oil on Cloth
  420 X 270mm
• References:
  For Otto’s comments on these recovered portraits see Otto, Portraits, pp. 31, 123. One of Angus’ many self-portraits is entitled Cleopatra (1938). For another illustration (in colour) see metmuseum.org/toah/works–of-art/30.8.54
• Notes:
  A similar ambiguity attaches to the powerful portrait of a darkwoman in half-profile which probably dates from a similar period to the 'The Turk' (Otto, Portraits, p. 31). It is one of several early portraits that had been stored rolled up for years in Bensemann's garage and were recovered after his death by his family, some in adamaged state. Painted on cloth, it has been extensively and expertly restored by John Harper of Takaka.8 There is no indication on the painting of title or date, so any comments about it are necessarily speculative. Otto remarks suggestively that the work is painted 'in Egyptian style'. In the 1930s Bensemann developed a deep interestin Egyptian art, an interest that he communicated to Rita Angus who subsequently became preoccupied with the Egyptianqueen Cleopatra.9A black-and-white reproduction (No. 291) in The Art of Ancient Egypt, published in Vienna by Phaidon Press in 1936, a book Bensemann owned, shows the head and torso of a woman carved in alabaster on the lid of canopic jar dating from the reign ofAkenhaten, c. 1340-1336 B.C., in the collection of the MetropolitanMuseum of Art, New York.10 Although the figure is three- dimensional there is nevertheless a sufficiently close resemblance to Bensemann's two-dimensional portrait to suggest that it may haveserved as starting point for the portrait. While the hair style (a black bob) and facial features (especially the straight nose and brown eyes) in the portrait are Egyptian-like, it is again possible that the subjectis not an historical reconstruction but rather a modern womanassuming Egyptian style in dress and make-up (a 1930s fashion).The pattern of wavy parallel bands around the neck of the garment looks more modern than ancient. The strong face is bathed in a bright light which leaves distinctive shadows on the face and neck.
• Estimate:
  NZ$9,000 - 11,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Art

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.