'Still Life with Champagne Bubbles and Newspaper' (circa 1940s - 1960s)

'Still Life with Champagne Bubbles and Newspaper', oil on board (circa 1940s - 1960s), Berlin School. A restrained use of colour is the central feature of this 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 particular work uses intersecting angular planes suggested by solid black lines to emphasise the flatness of the surface yet retain the solidity of the objects being painted. Grey and red painted dots suggest the quickly rising champagne bubbles in the glass. The viewer is required to use imagination to piece together a French newspaper, 'Le Journal'. The table upon which the objects sit takes form in the grain of the painted wooden surface and visible brushstrokes. Upon request, a short video clip of the piece can be provided.

Our gallery has access to a cache of paintings from Berlin in the 1940s - 1960s. What we know of these artworks is derived from our source from whom we've obtained this piece along with several others. Regrettably the artwork is unsigned and is therefore impossible to deduce anything about the artist's background or aspirations. What we do know is this work is a beautiful homage to a cubist master. The artwork is in good vintage condition in a new frame with linen slip.

Dimensions with frame:

H 33 cm / 13"

W 26.5 cm / 10.4"

Dimensions without frame:

H 19.5 cm / 7.7"

W 13.0 cm / 5.1"