Ian Ehling
Head of Department
Art, Illustration and Fine Press
Lot 61
MONDRIAN, PIET. 1872-1944. 15 Autograph Letters Signed ("Piet Mondrian" and "Mondrian"), to Amalia de Schulthess (nee Loew) mentioning Max Bill, an upcoming show at the Valentine Gallery, and de Schulthess's drawings, in English, 24 pp, 4to, New York, June 27, 1941 to December 12, 1943,
13 December 2022, 11:00 EST
New YorkSold for US$21,675 inc. premium
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MONDRIAN, PIET. 1872-1944.
15 Autograph Letters Signed ("Piet Mondrian" and "Mondrian"), to Amalia de Schulthess (nee Loew) mentioning Max Bill, an upcoming show at the Valentine Gallery, and de Schulthess's drawings, in English, 24 pp, 4to, New York, June 27, 1941 to December 12, 1943, 6 letters with autograph transmittal envelopes. With invitation and postcard for the exhibition.
Soon after their arrival in New York in 1941, Amalia and Hans de Schulthess were introduced to the great Modernist Piet Mondrian, who had arrived in New York a year earlier fleeing fascism in Europe. The young couple, she an artist and he a collector, struck up a friendship with the artist in the years before his death, visiting him, sending him flowers and gifts, and supporting his work. In his final years Mondrian was incredibly productive, staging his first solo American exhibition at the Valentine Gallery in January-February of 1942 (a brochure and a postcard of which are present in this archive); the de Schulthesses were privy to the behind-the-scene efforts to stage this remarkable show.
Mondrian's letters to Amalia de Schulthess are unfailingly polite, as he thanks her for her gifts and letters. He gives updates on his work and the progress of his show. From November 6, [1941]: "You did not hear from me but my show is later now. The Valentine Gallery is removed in another building. No 55 in the same street and opens not before November 15. So my show will probably be in January, for Dec. is not a good time!"
Soon after their arrival in New York in 1941, Amalia and Hans de Schulthess were introduced to the great Modernist Piet Mondrian, who had arrived in New York a year earlier fleeing fascism in Europe. The young couple, she an artist and he a collector, struck up a friendship with the artist in the years before his death, visiting him, sending him flowers and gifts, and supporting his work. In his final years Mondrian was incredibly productive, staging his first solo American exhibition at the Valentine Gallery in January-February of 1942 (a brochure and a postcard of which are present in this archive); the de Schulthesses were privy to the behind-the-scene efforts to stage this remarkable show.
Mondrian's letters to Amalia de Schulthess are unfailingly polite, as he thanks her for her gifts and letters. He gives updates on his work and the progress of his show. From November 6, [1941]: "You did not hear from me but my show is later now. The Valentine Gallery is removed in another building. No 55 in the same street and opens not before November 15. So my show will probably be in January, for Dec. is not a good time!"