Study in Textures

Details

George Grosz (1893-1959)
Study in Textures
(i) signed, dated and dedicated 'Grosz 39 To Edward James with my best wishes for a merry x-mas 1940 from George' (lower right)
(ii) signed and dated 'Grosz 39' (lower right)
(iii) signed 'Grosz' (lower right); inscribed '202 SHORE ROAD Long Caston, Lg. Isl.' (on the reverse)
charcoal on paper
(i) 25 3/8 x 19 ¼ in. (64.7 x 48.7 cm.)
(ii) 21 5/8 x 15 7/8 in. (55 x 40.3 cm.)
(ii) 15 ½ x 19 7/8 in. (39.5 x 50.4 cm.)
(3)Drawn in Long Island in 1939

Provenance

The artist's studio, Douglaston, Long Island, New York, 1939.
A gift from the artist to Edward James in 1940.

Special notice

Artist's Resale Right ("Droit de Suite"). Artist's Resale Right Regulations 2006 apply to this lot, the buyer agrees to pay us an amount equal to the resale royalty provided for in those Regulations, and we undertake to the buyer to pay such amount to the artist's collection agent.

Brought to you by

Amelia Walker

awalker@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2085

Lot Essay

Ralph Jentsch has confirmed the authenticity of these works.

Edward James was evidently fairly close to George Grosz during the late 1930s and early 1940s. As well as these beautiful drapery studies, James owned several books bearing friendly dedications. Grosz greatly appreciated the patronage of various art collectors and often wanted to give them watercolours as Christmas presents; however, as he did not want to make assumptions about which of them his friends would like, he produced a painted gift certificate which the collector could exchange for a picture of his choice. One of these certificates, dated 1942, remains in the Edward James Collection.

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