'Playful Feline' Berlin School (circa 1960s)

'Playful Feline', oil on board, Berlin School (circa 1960s). A thoroughly modern depiction of a colourful, willowy feline most likely inspired by Italian Futurist, Fortunato Depero (1892-1960). Futurism corresponded to Cubism sharing several elements including faceted or segmented shapes. Cubism however, was generally static and more subdued whereas Futurism was bright and dynamic embracing technology, mechanisation, power and energy. In this work the slinky, smiling, optimistic cat looks ready to leap from a wall, arched back in preparation for the jump embracing whatever the future holds. This painting is in good condition having been professionally cleaned and newly framed with a French-style linen slip. The artist's signature (unknown) appears in the lower left hand corner. Upon request a video will be provided. 

About the Art: 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 pieces from this body of work. This clearly speaks to the widespread assessment of the quality and interest of the art.

Today, these 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 42 cm / 16.5"

W 38 cm / 15"

Dimensions without frame:

H 28 cm / 11"

W 24.5 cm / 9.6"