An easel, designed circa 1955

Details

CARLO SCARPA (1906-1978)
An easel, designed circa 1955
executed later by Zanon, Italy, teak, patinated steel and brass
102 3/8 high x 29 1/8 wide x 25. ¼ in. deep (260 x 74 x 64 cm.)

Provenance

Zanon, Venice;
Acquired from the above by the present owner.

Literature

R. McCarter, Carlo Scarpa, London, 2013, pp. 60, 155 and 157 for other examples illustrated.
M. Brawne, The New Museum, Stuttgart, 1965, pp. 7, 57, 60-61, 189 for other examples in museum collections.

Special notice

This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Lot Essay

In 1952 Carlo Scarpa was commissioned to redesign the interior of the Museo Correr in Venice, including the display of the art collection. Scarpa reorganised the various spaces of the historic museum, designing pedestals, supports and easels in materials such as stone, steel, wood and glass. Scarpa’s intention was to create a heightened sense between the works of art and the viewer. This would be a completely new and innovative way to display art in public museums.

Scarpa used these easels throughout his career in many of his museum projects: Museo Correr, Venice, Palazzo Abatellis, Palermo, Museo Castelvecchio, Verona, and Fondatione Querini Stampalia, Venice. Executed by the Zanon brothers in steel and wood, the easel is completely adjustable to the painting and the viewer’s desired height.

Most recently the American contemporary artist Carol Bove exhibited Scarpa’s easels and vitrines alongside her new body of work in the exhibition Carol Bove/Carlo Scarpa, curated by the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, England and Museion, Bolzano. The exhibition juxtaposed works by Bove alongside works of Carlo Scarpa, exploring the dialogue between the display of objects, art and sculpture.

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