Marchesa Casati
11 1/2 x 13 3/4 x 10 in 29.2 x 34.9 x 25.4cm
Lot offered for sale by Heffel, Vancouver at the auction event "November Live Auction 2017, Toronto Live auction" held on Wed, Nov 22, 2017.
Lot 019
Lot 019
Estimate: CAD $12,000 - $16,000
Realised: CAD $28,125
Realised: CAD $28,125
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
Provenance:
Collection of Dr. Russell Brain, United Kingdom
By descent to Michael and Elizabeth Brain, Calgary
Literature:
Jacob Epstein, Let There Be Sculpture: The Autobiography of Jacob Epstein, 1942, page 87
Evelyn Silber, The Sculpture of Epstein, 1986, reproduced page 144, catalogue #95
Notes:
Marchesa Casati was an Italian heiress, muse to the Italian Futurists and a patroness of the arts in the early twentieth century. She was a femme fatale whose eccentricities intrigued European society. Known for her sense of fashion, she was an inspiration for modern designers such as John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. Her home in Venice (where her parties were legendary) is now the location of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Sir Jacob Epstein met Casati at a luncheon given by English sculptor Clare Sheridan. Intrigued by her striking appearance, he asked Casati to sit for him. He described the experience as follows: “We began the sittings and her Medusa-like head kept me busy until nightfall…The winter light had failed and I had many candles brought in. They formed a circle round my weird sitter with the fire in the grate piled high to give more light. The tireless Marchesa, with her over-large blood-veined eyes, sat with a basilisk stare.” In this compelling sculpture, Epstein has adeptly captured the larger-than-life personality of Casati.
Please note: this work is from an edition of 8 and is mounted to a base measuring 3 x 5 1/2 x 5 inches.
Collection of Dr. Russell Brain, United Kingdom
By descent to Michael and Elizabeth Brain, Calgary
Literature:
Jacob Epstein, Let There Be Sculpture: The Autobiography of Jacob Epstein, 1942, page 87
Evelyn Silber, The Sculpture of Epstein, 1986, reproduced page 144, catalogue #95
Notes:
Marchesa Casati was an Italian heiress, muse to the Italian Futurists and a patroness of the arts in the early twentieth century. She was a femme fatale whose eccentricities intrigued European society. Known for her sense of fashion, she was an inspiration for modern designers such as John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. Her home in Venice (where her parties were legendary) is now the location of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Sir Jacob Epstein met Casati at a luncheon given by English sculptor Clare Sheridan. Intrigued by her striking appearance, he asked Casati to sit for him. He described the experience as follows: “We began the sittings and her Medusa-like head kept me busy until nightfall…The winter light had failed and I had many candles brought in. They formed a circle round my weird sitter with the fire in the grate piled high to give more light. The tireless Marchesa, with her over-large blood-veined eyes, sat with a basilisk stare.” In this compelling sculpture, Epstein has adeptly captured the larger-than-life personality of Casati.
Please note: this work is from an edition of 8 and is mounted to a base measuring 3 x 5 1/2 x 5 inches.
Most realised prices include the Buyer's Premium of 18-25%, but not the HST/GST Tax.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.