'The Labyrinth' by Elizabeth Franzheim (1981)
0353
'The Labyrinth', oil on wood (1981), by Elizabeth Franzheim (1923 - 1990). A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. It represents a journey to our own centre and back again out into the world. 'The Labyrinth' uses lines and two shades - black and brown - to create the cubist passageway that leads the viewer towards the portal. The artist finely sanded the wood before painting on the surface and created a compelling lacquered look. This is a significant abstract work on an impressive scale by an artist with an international following. The artwork was also used on the cover of an Italian language version of George Orwell's 1984 (see photos). The painting is in excellent vintage condition; the original tray frame has a few minor scratches and blemishes commensurate with its age.
Signed by the artist: 'E. Franzheim 81'.
About the Artist: Elizabeth Franzheim was born in Chicago in 1923. At the age of thirteen, she began working with the noted portrait painter, Wayman Adams, and continued her art studies at the Corcoran Academy and Yale University. In the 1950s she moved to Houston, Texas, where she painted works for the interior of many private and civic buildings, collaborating at times with the American artist Rufino Tamayo and others. From her move to Paris in 1961 she had achieved international recognition for her paintings, set designs for theater and art direction in films. In October 1981, she was the subject of a major one-woman exhibition at the Foire International d'Art Contemporain in Paris where a special edition book of her work was published for that occasion.
Dimensions with frame:
H 122 cm
W 122 cm
Dimensions without frame:
H 120.5 cm
W 120.5 cm