ELLSWORTH KELLY, Untitled, from the Collection of Ileana Sonnabend and the Estate of Nina Castelli 1973

Best provenance! From the collection of legendary art dealer Ileana Sonnabend - wife of Leo Castelli, Ellsworth is one of the most significant and influential painters of the latter 20th century, and Andy Warhol, along with many others, freely acknowledged their debt to him.  Kelly initiated a style of large, simple shapes in the 1950s, formed of hard edges and flat unmodulated colors, which influenced the blank panels Warhol included in his Death and Disaster series. Kelly employs bright, intense colors and hard-edged geometric shapes in his unmistakable and timeless paintings and prints. He is known for using form or shape as a subject in and of itself. In this well known lithograph, created in one of the most desirable eras (early Seventies) Kelly plays with black and white, giving each equal claim over the background and image. This work is in fine condition and housed in the original portfolio sleeve. It has never been removed from the original mahogany portfolio box from the Sonnabend/Castelli collections. Comes in the original portfolio sleeve with Ellsworth Kelly's name in block letters, as well as a copy of the colophon page of the entire portfolio as provenance. We will also provide a Certificate of Guarantee certifying the unique provenance of this work which is the Collection of Ileana Sonabend (wife of legendary dealer Leo Castelli, and pioneering art dealer in her own right) and the Estate of their daughter Nina Castelli Sundell. Many works from this portfolio are already in the permanent collections of most major museums and public institutions worldwide. Very rare in such fine condition with such impressive provenance.  

Catalogue Raisonne Reference: 92, Axsom

SIGNATURE

Signed; with artists initials in graphite pencil lower right recto hand numbered lower left recto stamped and dated Copyright Ellsworth Kelly 1973 verso stamped Printed at Styria Studio verso held within original portfolio sleeve with artists name stamped in block letters on the exterior

PROVENANCE

Collection of Ileana Sonabend (wife of legendary dealer Leo Castelli, and pioneering art dealer in her own right) and the Estate of their daughter Nina Castelli Sundell.

EXHIBITION HISTORY

Leo Castelli exhibition of New York for Stockholm Portfolio to benefit Moderna Museet

Other editions:

Walker Art Center Leo Castelli Gallery Brooklyn Museum Pop Impressions Europe/USA, Museum of Modern Art and dozens of other venues

LITERATURE

Other editions:

Walker Art Center Leo Castelli Gallery Brooklyn Museum Pop Catalogue Raisonne: 92, Axsom

Impressions Europe/USA, Museum of Modern Art and dozens of other venues