Jean Helion (French, 1904–1987)

LOT ID: 68873

Les Rêveurs, 1944

Watercolor, Ink

14.6 х 15.5 in. cm.

Signed, and dated in ink.

Lot description

After decisively abandoning abstraction in 1939, French painter Jean Hélion's (April 21, 1904 – October 27, 1987) stylistic approach changed significantly. Before the outbreak of the Second World War, Hélion was working in a world of abstract rectilinear forms that derived from the Neoplasticists Piet Mondrian and Joaquin Torres-Garcia. During the 1930s, Hélion's style evolved Hélion's style evolved as he introduced organic lines and volumetric forms into his work. It wasn't until after 1940, after having joined the armed forces in France and having been taken prisoner for two years (until a daring escape), that Hélion resumed work with a profoundly new approach. Beginning in 1943, he produced a series of depersonalized figural images of seemingly emotionally disconnected women and men in domestic settings. He painted many close variations on this favorite theme, oftentimes placing women at open windows, men reading newspapers or couples seated at breakfast tables. This work, entitled Les Rêveurs, is a preparatory study for the 1945 oil on canvas of the same title, which is illustrated in the Catalog Raisonné de l'ouevre de Peint de Jean Hélion.

Hélion's work is held in many museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, Kunsthalle, Hamburg, and the Tate Gallery, London. A large number of the artist's notebooks are preserved in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. Artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Nell Blaine, and Leland Bell have acknowledged having been influenced significantly by Hélion.

Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
Condition Report
Condition Report

The seller has recorded the following condition for this lot:

Description:	Surface Soiling
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Overall	Yes
Date
Date	Old
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Location:
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Notes:	Minor scattered handling wear consistent with age and the nature of watercolor on paper.
Further information details

Definition Key

History and Provenance
History and Provenance
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
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Shipping Weight: 5 lbs

Framing: Yes (0 x 0 inches)

Item Location: France

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Payment and Return Policies
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Contact the Specialist

Christina Warner

Specialist

New York

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Lot ID

68873

Artist

Jean Helion

Title

Les Rêveurs

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Margin Area	Edge, border, or perimeter areas
Image Area	Central image, focal point of the item/image.

Minor	Existing condition generally does not involve risk of loss
Moderate	Noticeable, increasing in severity and/or size; not serious, but should be monitored or corrected by a conservator
Major	Distinct, recognizable damage; stability of the work is questionable; risk is a factor; requires the attention of a conservator
Extreme	Advanced and severe damage; work is insecure and at great risk

Jean Helion (French, 1904–1987) LOT ID: 68873 Les Rêveurs, 1944

CONFIRMATION

Christina Warner

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LOT ID: 68873

Les Rêveurs, 1944