Marc Chagall, Study for 'The Resurrection', 1948
Ask a Hidden advisor what constitutes a strong art investment and it is likely that you will hear something along the lines of ‘a work by a renowned artist which is iconic to their oeuvre’. Our buyers painstakingly scour a staggering number of auctions around the world to source enticing works which fit within this category. Every now and then, we discover pieces which are not only instantly recognisable, but which display such mastery of skill and creative genius that one gains an immediate sense of an illustrious hand at work. Such special objects earn the title of ‘masterpiece’, and it is my joy to present a fantastic selection of those to you today.
Below you will find three masterpieces which have recently joined our collection, and a further Private View link with a handful of extras which we couldn’t resist including! As always, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like any more information about these works.
Marc Chagall, Study for 'The Resurrection', 1948
This colourful study for the central panel of Chagall’s Resistance, Resurrection, Liberation triptych gives us a fascinating window to the mind of a creative genius at work. It is said that Chagall was fascinated by the rebellious, unwavering and creative spirit of Christ, while the evocative story of love and hate found in Christ’s resurrection allowed the artist to explore a suffering which was very close to his heart. Unusually, Chagall’s Christ is depicted in a Jewish prayer shawl in place of his typical loin cloth: a decision reflected in our own study. As such, we can understand the torment of Christ as an allegory of the impact of the Holocaust on the Jewish people, but also as a symbol of their resilience and survival.
This is not only a beautiful object in its own right, but a captivating and deeply personal insight into one of the greatest creative minds of the 20th century. Chagall is an artist whose enduring appeal is deeply felt around the world and his original sketches, in good condition, are becoming increasingly scarce.
Bridget Riley, Firebird, 1971
The work of Bridget Riley changed the course of modern art by directly challenging the way we look at images. Her iconic innovation in the use of geometric form and spatial dynamics to forge the sensation of movement is brilliantly apparent in this work. Deeply saturated tones of red, blue and green appear to oscillate on the paper, at once hypnotising and enlivening the viewer.
Recent years have seen Riley's market go from strength to strength. This work is iconically 'Riley' and has fantastic wall appeal as a bold statement piece.
Pablo Picasso, Grosse Tete - Profil Droit, 1965
This wonderfully expressive figural sculpture sees Picasso reduce the general form to its most basic and expressive state. This sense of simplicity is amplified by the crisp white surface of the natural white clay which, when coupled with the simplified design, merge to create an expressive sense of movement as if the figure was captured while walking or dancing. This interest in simplicity, sometimes referenced as primitivism, reflects Picasso’s modern sensibility and interest in decorative reduction.
Pablo Picasso is widely regarded as one of the most popular artists of all time and his market certainly shows no sign of cooling. The small edition size and visually appealing nature of this piece make it a fantastic option for investment.
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