Property from the Ruth Moskin Fineshriber Collection Ruth Moskin Fineshriber, a Manhattan native and collector of modern art, began her career as a young painter at the Art Students League of New York in the mid-1930s, where she studied under Morris Kantor. Her activity as an artist gave way to commitments to marriage and family. After the death of her husband, she decided to support herself and her young son Jeff by dealing in fine art rather than attempting to create it. She had an impeccable eye for quality which she put to good use, traveling to Europe where she met and purchased works from renowned artists such as Reni Magritte, Alberto Giacometti, and Matta. In 1954 she opened the Ruth Moskin Gallery in New York, putting on shows of various promising artists. Her best known group show took place in 1956, which featured works by Matta, Dubuffet, Giacometti, and Zañartu. In the late 1950s she studied at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, earning her Masters Degree from The Institute of Fine Art in 1959 as a member of its first class. Later that year she married William H. Fineshriber, Vice President of the Motion Picture Association of America. In 1960, she became the Director of Paul Rosenberg & Co., New York, where she produced shows such as "Ingres in American Collections." She remained there until 1965; thereafter she focused on her involvement as a founder of The Israel Museum, beginning a long association with that museum as well as a close friendship with Jerusalem's mayor, Teddy Kolleck. Over the years, she has given the Israel Museum dozens of works by major artists from her personal collection. She now resides in Los Angeles, where she moved in 1985. Christie's is honored to offer works from this extraordinary collection in our sales of Impressionist and Modern Art, Latin American Art, American Paintings, Prints & Multiples and Fine Art in the House Sale in New York, and 19th & 20th Century Art, Tel Aviv and Post War & Contemporary Art, London. We take great pride in having been given the opportunity to present these fine works in a series of exciting sales throughout this spring season.

Andre Masson (1896-1987)

Martinique

Details

Andre Masson (1896-1987)
Martinique
signed and dated 'André Masson. 1941.' (lower center)
pen and India ink on paper
20 x 26 in. (50.8 x 66 cm.)
Drawn in 1941

Provenance

Acquired by the present owner, early 1950s.

Exhibited

Paris, Musée National d'art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, La révolution surréaliste, March-June 2002.

Lot Essay

The Comité André Masson has confirmed the authenticity of this work.

This drawing was executed as part of a large series of pen and ink drawings entitled Métamorphoses begun by Masson in 1937, and was illustrates the theme of La terre érotique.

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