λ HANS BELLMER (GERMAN 1902-1975), PORTRAIT OF... Lot 128

λ HANS BELLMER (GERMAN 1902-1975), PORTRAIT OF THE PHILOSOPHER GASTON BACHELARD λ HANS BELLMER (GERMAN 1902-1975) PORTRAIT OF THE PHILOSOPHER GASTON BACHELARD Oil and ink on board Signed (lower right) and dated 1957 (lower left) 54 x 49.5cm (21¼ x 19¼ in.) Exhibited: Cologne, Galerie Gmurzynska,1966, no. 5 The authenticity of this work has kindly been confirmed by Rodica Aldoux. Hans Bellmer was a German artist known for his provocative and surrealistic sculptures, drawings, and photographs. Emerging in the 1930s, Bellmer's work often explored themes of desire, sexuality, and the subconscious mind. He gained international recognition for his "La Poupée" series, which featured unsettling and meticulously crafted dolls with interchangeable parts, arranged in surreal and sometimes disturbing compositions. His work was deeply influenced by his own experiences during the war, and his interest in psychoanalysis, particularly the theories of Sigmund Freud. During the Second World War, his work was declared "degenerate" by the Nazi party, and Bellmer fled to France in 1938, where his work was received by André Breton and the Surrealists with interest. He was fascinated by their experimentation of multifaceted planes of perspective, which influenced some of his later works. Bellmer's work has been exhibited in Europe and the United States, with multiple solo shows showcasing his photography, dolls and paintings. Highlights include solo shows at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago in 1975, the Centre Georges Pompidou in 2006, and at the Washington D.C Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in 2016. Condition Report: The paint has been lightly applied with areas of the white board visible, as originally intended by the artist. Ultraviolet light reveals a few scattered patches of retouching, notably one to the centre left, just off the edge, another to the lower left corner above the date and another to the lower edge. Otherwise, the work appears to be in good original condition. Please note that the medium of this work is Oil and ink on board and not as stated in the printed catalogue.