Painted in 1961, Superficie 433 is a minute, but perfectly-formed example of Giuseppe Capogrossi’s celebrated Superficie series. Against a crimson ground, Capogrossi has painted his forked sign, in thick black lines. The Superficie series was begun in 1949 when Capogrossi conclusively turned away from figurative imagery. Embracing an abstracted geometry, he developed what would becoming his signature motif: pronged-shaped images, which have no symbolical or historical resonance, and thus little meaning, but like an alphabet, forms which can be continuously reconfigured. For Capogrossi, sign and structure were inherently linked and fundamental to the creation of a new pictorial language.
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Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
The canvas, stretcher and attachments appear to be in generally good condition. There is a dip in the canvas to the upper right corner due to an irregularity to the underlying stretcher. There is hairline craquelure in places, predominantly to the upper and lower left corners, with an associated slight raise in the canvas to the lower left corner. There is minor wear to the extreme edges, with a few associated pinpoint paint losses and two further minute points of loss to the upper and lower edges. There are a few handling marks in places to the edges. When examined under ultra-violet light, there is no indication of inpainting. Subject to the above, it is our view that the work appears to be in generally good condition.
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Lot 60Sale 17697
Superficie 433Giuseppe Capogrossi (1900-1972)Estimate: GBP 15,000 - 20,000
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