oil, collage and tempera on linen
51.5 x 70 cm (20 1/4 x 27 1/2 in.)
signed lower left

PROVENANCE
Sotheby's New York, 7 October 2008, lot 65
Acquired at the above by current owner

LOT NOTES
Romanian-born visual artist, architect, art theorist and leading exponent of Constructivism in Eastern Europe. However, most notably he is the co-inventor of Dadaism, co-writing and contributing to the Simbolul a Romanian art Magazine, working jointly with Ion Vinea and Tristan Tzara. Janco explored Art Nouveau, Futurism and Expressionism. In 1919 Janco departed with Dada and later founded a Constructivist circle, Das Neue Leben with fellow abstract artist Hans Arp. Janco’s art was revolutionary, envisioning a new and unique way of urban planning, designing innovative landmarks of his hometown Bucharest. While Janco remained one of the leading Romanian Jewish intellectuals of his generation, he was not immune from anti semitic persecution before and during World War II causing him to relocate to Palestinian Mandate. Here, he became increasingly involved with the local artists, Janco had a formative influence on the development of modern Israeli art, awarded the Dizengoff Prize and Israel Prize while founding Ein Hod, a utopian art colony. Janco created art in a multitude of forms, including illustration, sculpture and oil painting. This lot is a prime example of Dadaism, constructivism and expressionism that Marcel Janco achieved throughout his artist career.

CONDITION
Observed in frame, the painting appears in good condition. Inspection under UV light shows no apparent sign of restoration.
framed dimensions: 77.5 x 98 cm (30 1/2 x 38 5/8 in.)

Kindly note, the auction is comprised of two sessions:
Session I: Russian and Asian Art, Antiques and Jewelry, lots 1-331
Session II: European, North and South American, and Ethnographic Art, Antiques, Jewelry, and Design, lots 500-827

N.B. All lots are sold in as-is condition at the time of sale. Please note that any condition statement regarding works of art is given as a courtesy to our clients in order to assist them in assessing the condition. The report is a genuine opinion held by Shapiro Auctions and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report or a photograph does not preclude the absence of defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. Shapiro Auctions, LLC., including its consultants and agents, shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.