India Phillips
Managing Director UK
PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE FRENCH COLLECTOR
Lot 8AR
Joan Miró(1893-1983)Cinq compositions
Amended
11 October 2018, 17:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £37,500 inc. premium
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Hannah Noel-Smith
Head of UK, Europe & Asia
Aimée Honig
Senior Specialist
Frederick Millar
Specialist, Head of Sale
Joan Miró (1893-1983)
Cinq compositions
a)
inscribed 'Mon cher Ralph;' (lower centre) and dated '15 XI 70.' (upper right)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
b)
inscribed 'En retrant de Zurich je trouve la lettre de Georgia m'annoçant votre anniversaire c'est avec rétard,' (lower centre)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
c)
inscribed 'Hélas, que Pilar et moi vous envoyons nos meilleurs voeux de santé et Bonheur' (lower centre)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
d)
inscribed 'Pour vous et Georgia' (centre)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
e)
signed 'Miró' (lower centre) and inscribed 'Toute notre affection' (upper centre)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
a)
inscribed 'Mon cher Ralph;' (lower centre) and dated '15 XI 70.' (upper right)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
b)
inscribed 'En retrant de Zurich je trouve la lettre de Georgia m'annoçant votre anniversaire c'est avec rétard,' (lower centre)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
c)
inscribed 'Hélas, que Pilar et moi vous envoyons nos meilleurs voeux de santé et Bonheur' (lower centre)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
d)
inscribed 'Pour vous et Georgia' (centre)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
e)
signed 'Miró' (lower centre) and inscribed 'Toute notre affection' (upper centre)
coloured wax crayon and ballpoint pen on the artist's stationary paper
29.4 x 20.8cm (11 9/16 x 11 9/16in)
Executed on 15 November 1970
Footnotes
Please note that these works will be presented at the committee of ADOM on 20 September 2018.
Provenance
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph F. Colin Collection, New York (a gift from the artist on 15 November 1970); their sale, Christie's, New York, 10 May 1995, lot 75.
Anon. sale, Christie's, South Kensington, 24 June 1996, lot 208.
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner.
This work is an illustrated letter to Ralph and Georgia Colin by Miró in November 1970.
Ralph Colin was a prominent New York lawyer who founded the Art Dealers Association of America. During the late 1940s and 1950s the Colin's amassed an exceptional collection of 20th Century Art and, thanks to Ralph Colin's position in the Art Dealers Association, they were able to select the very best pieces from every major dealer's offering. Amongst the many works by Miró in the Colin's collection was also The Poetess, from the well-known Constellations series, painted between 1939 and 1941 – a major work by the artist which was included in the Museum of Modern Art's 1993 Miró retrospective.
Cinq compositions is a touching and personal insight into Miró's relationship with friends and patrons, as well as testimony to the extraordinary creative spirit which guided every aspect of his life.
Saleroom notices
Please note that the authenticity of this work has kindly been confirmed by ADOM.