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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 #:
  17
• Lot Description:
  Leo Bensemann
  (1912-1986)
  These two paintings, so unusual in the context of Bensemann's oeuvre in that their imagery and even their genre is unique, are best considered togethe
  Oil On board
  499 x 395mm
• References:
  See Otto, Portraits, p. 113
• Notes:
  These two paintings, so unusual in the context of Bensemann's oeuvre in that their imagery and even their genre is unique, are best considered together as they are self-evidently twin productions, both being painted in the same year (1979) and both exhibited side by side as numbers 16 and 17 in Bensemann's solo exhibition shown at the Brooke-Gifford Gallery, Christchurch, in 1979. A clue to the provenance of the imagery in these paintings is Caroline Otto's remark that they were 'inspired by a book on the Celts as I remember Leo mentioning this at the time.' As was mentioned above in relation to Unknown Westerwald, Bensemann was interested in the ancient Alemann (sometimes known as Alamannia, compare 'Allemagne', the French word for Germany) Celtic civilisation of Germany the core from which the Celts spread over most of the continent of Europe. Although I have not been able to trace the particular book from which Bensemann derived these images of a juggler and dancers within a circular format, any exploration of Celtic design motifs soon reveals their liking for intricate patterns contained within circular formats (compare, for instance, the pendant in Unknown Westerwald). As a book designer and illustrator Bensemann could turn his unparalleled graphic skills to any subject matter as required by the context. These bright and lively works show these graphic skills being adapted for the purpose of a pair of unusual and vivid paintings.
• Estimate:
  NZ$3,000 - 4,000
• 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.