'Cubist Still Life with Guitar' Berlin School (circa 1970s)

'Cubist Still Life with Guitar', oil on board (circa 1970s), Berlin School. This artwork is a clear cubist homage to one of the founders of the movement, Juan Gris (1887- 1927). Cubism started with Braque (1882-1963) and Picasso (1891-1973) in the early 20th century. Together, then separately, they developed a revolutionary new style of painting which transformed everyday objects, landscapes, and people into geometric shapes. They in turn took inspiration from the work of Cezanne who created paintings with multiple perspectives. This engaging work uses strong lines, colour and geometric shapes to suggest depth and form. The viewer is asked to use imagination to piece together the cubist puzzle. The artwork is in overall fair vintage condition in a new frame with elegant, French-style linen slip. Some fading of colour and minor blemishing is evident however, in this case it simply adds character to the artwork. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying the listing. Upon request a video of the piece may be provided. Signed 'Laval' in lower left hand.

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 their works. This clearly speaks to the widespread assessment of the quality and interest of the art.

Today, the artists’ 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 43 cm / 16.9"

Dimensions without frame:

H 43.5 cm / 17.1"

W 30 cm / 11.8"