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Lot Essay
Stuart Sutcliffe (1940-1962) occupies a unique place in the world of Modern British art. Remembered as both the original bassist in The Beatles, and as a gifted painter whose career was cut tragically short, Sutcliffe had a deep interest in modern European painting. He studied alongside John Lennon at the Liverpool School of Art, and he and Lennon are credited for inventing the name 'Beetles', which evolved into 'Beatles' in reference to beat music. Sutcliffe joined The Beatles during their formative residencies in Hamburg in 1960, but by July of the following year he had chosen to remain in Hamburg to pursue art, and to leave music behind. He enrolled at the arts university, Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg, where he studied under Eduardo Paolozzi.
His style, which became increasingly confident and experimental, was strongly influenced by both Abstract and German Expressionism. The present work, Untitled, No. 39, exemplifies this artistic approach: multiple layers and overlapping gestural marks combine to form dense, almost calligraphic, patterns. The result is a work embodying a dichotomy of control and chaos. Sutcliffe died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage at just 21 years old, cutting short a life of extraordinary promise. The present work stands as a testament to his potential, and his unique artistic capabilities.
His style, which became increasingly confident and experimental, was strongly influenced by both Abstract and German Expressionism. The present work, Untitled, No. 39, exemplifies this artistic approach: multiple layers and overlapping gestural marks combine to form dense, almost calligraphic, patterns. The result is a work embodying a dichotomy of control and chaos. Sutcliffe died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage at just 21 years old, cutting short a life of extraordinary promise. The present work stands as a testament to his potential, and his unique artistic capabilities.