RARE! MID CENTURY MODERN CONGO WARRIORS PAINTING! VTG ART HAGENAUER ORIG BARSONY

THE RAREST OF THE RARE! BELGIAN CONGO WARRIORS! MODERNIST ABSTRACT! FRANZ HAGENAUER ERA (Approx 18" Tall By About 15" Wide) Here is one of the world’s rarest and most intriguing modernist original paintings! This watercolor was part of a small gallery showing presented by the legendary W. Bessler Art Gallery in the historic 16th century Fuggerhaus in Augsburg, Germany in 1960. The gallery had opened in 1954 and was the premier gallery for modern art in all of Germany at this time. This work still has the original seal and provenance of the gallery on the back. This piece is intriguing because it was done by a 'renowned name' in the modern art world and signed with a pseudonym: N. Yange. Nyange is the name of a tribe in the Belgian Congo. The original purchasers of the works were not told the name of the artist, which was unusual to the extreme - but understandable in context of events occurring in the Belgian Congo at this time. In 1960, the Congo had declared independence and the half century European romance with the region was coming to a sudden close and being pro-colonialism or appearing to exploit their image carried new social implications. It was rumored, but never confirmed, the series of water color paintings at the exhibition had been painted by Franz Hagenauer as a tribute to his many earlier Belgian Congo sculptures done when he was in his early twenties. A period when almost everyone, including the iconic cartoonist Herge, with Tintin in the Congo, was glamorizing European colonialism in the Congo. In 1960, the story was quite different. Now the atrocities and hardships of the tribes were coming to light and the violence of revolution gave a new perspective upon the somewhat simple depictions of Congo tribe members created in this early Bauhaus/Werkstatte period. The work itself is absolutely magnificent. Its curves and grace are clearly beyond reproach. The artist displays total mastery of the brush and every line and stroke is beyond perfect. The colors are unbelievably vibrant and the work, done on heavy weight paper is a modernist tour-de-force. It demonstrates superb aesthetic taste and love of the fine modern line. The work is extremely well preserved under glass and in its original frame and mat. Only light wear to the red enamel frame. It is a glorious original watercolor abstraction and marks the end of an era in European African inspired art. As time moves forward, it seems to enjoy keeping secrets. The true artist, who remained hidden behind the pseudonym may never be known. However the art itself speaks volumes enough about the artist and the work is mute testimony to the wonderful modernism emerging in Europe during the mid century period. An Original Modernist Treasure For The Most Astute Collector! _____________________________________________________ All text, images and descriptions Copyright GALLERY 20TH. 2024. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized usage in whole or part, including eCRATER listings, is strictly prohibited. _____________________________________________________