Giacoma Balla (1871-1958)

Property Sold by Order of the Trustees of the HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN to Benefit its Acquisition Program

Details

Giacoma Balla (1871-1958)

Ballerina 1

stamped and numbered on the right side of the base 'Balla Futurista 1/9'--chromed brass on a plexiglass base
Height (including base): 27in. (68.5cm.)

Original iron wire executed in 1922; this chromed brass version reconstructed posthumously by the estate of the artist in 1968, number one in an edition of nine

Provenance

Galleria dell'Obelisco, Rome (1968) Joseph H. Hirshhorn, New York (1968-1981)
Estate of Joseph Hirshhorn, Washington, D.C. (1981-1986)

Literature

M. Drudi Gambillo and T. Fiori, Archivi del Futurismo, Rome, 1962, vol. 2, no. 361 (related drawing illustrated) M. Fagiolo dell'Arco, Balla: Ricostruzione futurista dell'universe, Rome, 1968, no. 186 (linear design illustrated, p. 101)
V.D. Dorazio, Giacomo Balla, An Album of His Life and Work, New York, 1970, no. 178 (related drawing illustrated)

Lot Essay

In 1921 Balla executed five linear decorations for the walls of the 'Bal Tic Tac.' Each design depicted a different step in classical ballet: ecarté, pas de deux, danse de feu, duo and serpentina. In 1922 he created a series of iron wire sculptures based on these designs. The present sculpture represents the duo.

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