'Abstract Prism: Radiant Cubist Figure' by STM (circa 1970s)

'Abstract Prism: Radiant Cubist Figure', oil on board, by STM (circa 1970s). A marvellous late mid-century, medium-sized painting by an artist with the initials STM. Clearly inspired by cubists Picasso and Braque, the artist uses angles, lines and subdued earth tones to create this wonderful portrait. Cubists abandoned perspective and realism, instead portraying figures and objects from various angles, like geometric planes. As in Cézanne’s art, perspective is rendered through colour, with the warmer colours such as pink, red and yellow advancing and the darker hues receding in the background. This portrait depicts a standing, splintered figure projecting forward from a backdrop of solid grey and dark green, like stained glass, separated by bold lines. The artist initialed the work in the lower left hand. In good overall condition, the artwork  was reconditioned using a professional art restoration process. It is newly framed with a French-style linen slip. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying this listing. Upon request, a video of the artwork will be provided.

About the Artist: Our gallery has access to a cache of paintings from the 1940s to the 1970s attributed to an art collective whose traces start with Germany. Berlin to start, but also Dresden, along the Saale, Weimar, Brera in Milan and Brussels. From the post-war period and onwards, they hosted young people who experimented with different painting techniques with exceptionally creative results. Over the years, dedicated art-seekers managed to unearth a treasure trove of these works from forgotten repositories. Once examined, the paintings were presented first to the Italian art market and then beyond, to art lovers in Europe and the United States.

Quietly, but surely, word of mouth scattered the news of the existence of these found artworks: cubist, expressionist, futurist and avant-garde. Trying to label these pieces doesn’t do them justice truly, but to call them studies, sketches, or simply, creations, would be more accurate.

It is interesting to note the artworks were very often unsigned, but often as not, initialled or monogrammed. Using known masterpieces as reference, their mentors suggested a particular style with which to experiment. Regrettably, this makes it impossible to pinpoint who amongst these bright creatives ‘made it’ in the world of art. But it really doesn’t matter. Each piece we've selected is extraordinary and therein lies the interest in these works. Notwithstanding that, several galleries have acquired and are now selling STM'S works. This clearly speaks to the widespread assessment of the quality and interest of the art.

Today, the artist's creations hang on the walls of art lovers in London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Miami and Los Angeles. Galleries scramble to acquire the works having recognised the outstanding potential in the international art markets for these pieces with such fascinating origins.

Dimensions with Frame:

H 57 cm /  22.4"

W 45.5 cm / 17.9"

Dimensions without Frame:

H 44 cm / 17.3"

W 32.5 cm / 12.8"