In the 20th Century

Details

Allen Jones, R.A. (b. 1937)
In the 20th Century
signed, inscribed and dated '"IN THE 20TH CENTURY" Allen Jones 1986' (on the canvas overlap)
oil on canvas
72 x 60 in. (182.9 x 152.4 cm.)

Provenance

with Waddington Galleries, London.
with Heland Wetterling Gallery, Stockholm.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 15 July 2008, lot 173 (£61,250), where purchased by the present owner.

Exhibited

Los Angeles, California, James Corcoran Gallery, 1987.

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

André Zlattinger

azlattinger@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2681

Lot Essay

After making a lot of sculpture I wanted to celebrate my return to painting with some grand figure compositions. 'In the 20th Century' - what better way to celebrate than having a party!

This picture, where the colour floats free of the drawing, is the culmination of a 'Party' series begun in 1984. It includes the first piano to appear in my paintings and reminds me of a powerful image from my childhood.

As an eight year old at a street party to mark the end of World War II I felt like an outside observer as adults enjoyed themselves and behaved badly around the piano that had been brought out onto the street.

Allen Jones, April 2011.

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