WIFREDO LAM
Afro-Cuban artist best known for his unique Surrealist aesthetic that combined European artistic movements with the imagery of his native country. “I responded always to the presence of factors that emanated from our history and our geography, tropical flowers, and black culture,” Lam once said. In one of his most famous paintings, The Jungle (1943), these various influences are melded together, onto a single large-scale canvas. Born Wifredo Oscar de la Concepción Lam y Castilla on December 8, 1902 in Sagua la Grande, Cuba, the painter moved to Madrid, Spain in 1923 to study with Fernando Alvarez de Sotomayor, who had been the teacher of famed Surrealist Salvador Dali. Lam moved to Paris after seeing an exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s work in Spain. Having arrived in Paris, he introduced himself to Picasso who subsequently showed Lam his collection of primitive artworks. The two artists' interaction figured heavily in Lam’s work throughout the remainder of his career. He died on September 11, 1982 in Paris, France at the age of 79. Today, the artist’s works are held in the collections of the Tate Gallery in London, the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., among others.
“La Jumeaux II” 1963-69 Oil on burlap 47 x 44 in Provenance: Collection of the artist. Paris.
Private collection, Europe (Acquired directly from the above)
De Vuyst, Art Ancien, Moderne et Contemporain: Premiere Vacation, 22 October 2011, Lot 307
Private Collection in London, England.
Exhibited: Kessel, Galerji Dobbelhoef, Wifredo Lam, 25 olieverfs childerjen, 15 pastels, etsen en litho’s en Joan Miro, 30 kleuretsen en litho’s, 1978. Nantes, Musée des Beaux Arts, Wifredo Lam, Voyage entre Caraibes et avat gardes, 2010, p. 120, no. 48, illustrated in colour.
Literature:
Michel Leiris, Wifredo Lam, Milan 1970, p. 212, no. 168, illustrated in colour (in an intermediary page)
Max-Pol Fouchet, Wifredo Lam, Paris 1976, p. 243, no. 548, illustrated in black and white (in an intermediary page)
Max-Pol Fouchet, Wifredo Lam, Barcelona 1989, p. 263, no. 580, illustrated in black and white (in an intermediary page)
Lou Laurin Lam and Eskil Lam, Wifredo Lam: Catalogue Rasoinné of the Painted Work, Volume II, 1961 1982, Lausanne 2002, p. 317, no. 69.39, illustrated in black and white (in an intermediary page)
Jacques Leenhardt, Wifredo Lam, Paris 2009, p. 237, illustrated in colour Bonhams Auction. Post War & Contemporary Art. New Bond St, London. 12 March 2020, p. 104, Lot 32
COA by Lou Laurin-Lam
“Composition” 1975 Oil on Canvas 28 x 39 in Provenance: Galerie Might Lelong, Zurich Galerie Patrice Trigano, Paris
Sotheby’s Latin American Auction, May 1997, lot #54 Private collection, Beverly Hills, CA
Exhibited:
Zürich, Galerie Lelong. Wilfredo Lam, repéres, Cahiers D’art contemporain, P.17, #47, Illustrated in Color. 1976
Zürich, Galerie Lelong. Wilfredo Lam. #43, Illustrated in Color. 1987
WILFREDO LAM in North America, Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in collaboration with Marquette University Museum, 2008. Long Beach, California.
Bibliography:
M.-P. Fouchet, Wilfredo Lam, 1st ed., Barcelona/Paris, Poligrafa/Cercle d’Art, 1976, p.250, n˚ 681 (b.w).
M.-P. Fouchet, Wilfredo Lam, 2nd ed., Barcelona/Paris, Poligrafa/Cercle d’Art, 1989, p.270, n˚ 713 (b.w).
COA by Lou Laurin-Lam, n˚ 89-75, Paris, December 8, 1989.
“Untitled” 1973
Oil on canvas 28 x 39 in Provenance: Galleria Cafiso, Milano Collezione privata, Milano
Literature:
L. Laurin Lam; E. Lam Lam. Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work Volume II 1961 1982, Edition Acatos, Lausanne 2006, p. 420 n. 73.161 ill.
COA by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris.
“Untitled” 1973
Oil on canvas 15 x 19 in Provenance: Private Collection Paris Cafiso Galleria d’Arte, Milano Private Collection Milano
Literature:
L. Laurin Lam; E. Lam Lam. Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work Volume II 1961 1982, Edition Acatos, Lausanne 2006, p. 438 n. 73.252 ill b.w.
COA by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris.
“Untitled” 1973 Oil/canvas 19 7/8 x 27 5/8 in
Provenance: Galerie Lelong, Paris, France. Christie's, New York, NY. LATIN AMERICAN ART. 18 November 2009, Lot # 12. Illustrated on page 165 of the catalog. Private Collection, Lima, Peru.
Literature: L. Laurin Lam; E. Lam Lam. Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work Volume II 1961 1982, Edition Acatos, Lausanne 2002, p. 416 n. 73.138 ill b.w.
COA by Eskil Lam
“Untitled” 1953 Charcoal on paper 26 x 19 in Provenance: Private Collection, Coral Gables, Florida. Cremata Fine Art, Miami. Private Collection, Lima, Peru.
COA by Lou Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris, France # 10.23.
“Floresta” 1962 Gouache on paper laid down on canvas 30 x 22 in
Provenance: Galleria dell Annunciata, Milan. Galleria Del Girasole, Udine. Sothebys’s, New York, Latin American Auction, May 29, 1985, lot 391. Studio Kostel .Paris. Christie’s, New York, Latin American Auction, May 18, 1993, lot 239. Panamerican Art, Dallas. Christie’s, New York, Latin American Auction, May 28, 2010, lot 123. Private Collection, Lima, Peru.
COA by Lou Laurin Lam, signed and dated 24-03-2009.
“Portrait” 1973
Oil on canvas 18 x 14 in Provenance: Private Collection. Italy Galleria Il Ponte, Milan, Italy.
Literature:
M.P. Fouchet, Wifredo Lam, First Ed. Barcelona Paris, 1976, p. 205 Full, #. 270. L.Curzi, Wifredo Lam, Bologna, Italy, 1978. Pag.30, #34. M.P. Fouchet, Wifredo Lam, Secund Ed. Barcelona Paris, 1989, p.209, # 270. (Illustrated in color).
L. Laurin Lam; E. Lam Lam. Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work Volume II 1961 1982, Edition Acatos, Lausanne 2006, , p.432 ,n. 73.225. Ill. Also pag.112, illustrated in Color.
COA by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation Paris.
“Untitled” 1971 Oil on canvas 24 x 20 in
Provenance: Gafiso Galleria d’Art, Milano Galleria Nuovo Sagittario, Milano Tresart Gallery, Florida Private Collection, Florida
Exhibited:
1962, Milano, Galleria Nuovo Sagittario, Wifredo Lam Opere dal 1945, illustrated on b&w. Wifredo Lam, the messenger. Tresart, Florida. March 17 April 17, 2006
Literature:
LAM Vol. 2, Catalogue Raisonne of the Painted Work 1961-1982, Acatos Paris, pag 350, no. 71 13, reproduced in b&w. Wifredo Lam, the messenger. Tresart, Florida. Catalogue (Cover). March 17-April 17, 2006
COA by Wifredo Lam
“L’Action” 1946
Oil and Charcoal on paper. 24 x 21in
Exhibited: Wifredo Lam, Centre d’ Arte, Porto-au-Prince, Haiti, 1946. Mc Mullen Museum of Art. Boston, August 30 Dic.14, 2014. High Museum of Art, Atlanta. February 14 May 24, 2015
Literature:
LAM Vol. I, Catalogue Raisonne of the Painted Work 1923 1960, Acatos Paris, pag 386, no. 46.04, illustrated in b&w Wifredo Lam, Imaginando Nuevos Mundos.Mc Mullen Museum of Art, Boston College, pag.153.
.
“Tete” 1972
Oil on canvas 12 x 16 in Provenance: Cafiso Galleria d’Arte, Milano Private Collection Milano
Literature:
M. P. Fouchet, 1st ed., Barcelona/Paris, Poligrafa/Cercle d’Arte, 1976, p.246, no. 596 (b.w.).
M. P. Fouchet, 1st ed., Barcelona/Paris, Poligrafa/Cercle d’Arte, 1989, p.266, no. 628 (b.w.).
L. Laurin Lam; E. Lam Lam. Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work Volume II 1961 1982, Edition Acatos, Lausanne 2006, p. 381 n. 73.129 ill b.w.
COA by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris.
“Untitled” 1972 Oil on Canvas 14 x 17 in Provenance:
J. Billoret Destelle, Cagnes sur Mer, France. Cafiso Galleria d’Arte, Milano, Italy. Galleria d’Arte Maggiore, Bologna, Italy. Galleria Marescalchi, Bologna, Italy. L. Paladini, Miami, USA. Private Collection, Barcelona, Spain.
Literature:
L. Laurin Lam; E. Lam. Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work Volume II 1961 1982, Edition Acatos, Lausanne 2006, p.380, n. 72.126 illustrated in b&w.
COA by Lou-Laurin-Lam Foundation, no. 93-94, Paris, October 28, 1993
“Untitled” 1972 Oil on Canvas 18 x 14 in
Provenance: Lucien Lefebvre Foinet, Paris Collection. Post War & Contemporary Art, Christie's Paris, France. 03 Jun 2021, Illustrated on page 181 of the catalog. Top Art, Sunny Island, Florida.
Literature:
M.P. Fouchet, Wifredo Lam, First Ed. Barcelona Paris, 1976, pag 246, nro.607. M.P. Fouchet, Wifredo Lam, Secund Ed. Barcelona Paris, 1989, pag 266, nro. 639. L. Laurin Lam; E. Lam. Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work Volume II 1961 1982, Edition Acatos, Lausanne 2006, p.385, n. 72.153 illustrated in b&w.
COA by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris.
“Untitled” 1973 Oil on canvas 9 7/8 x 13 3/4 in Provenance: Centro Arte Internazionale, Milano; Galleria Le Arti, Milano; Collezione privata, Milano Il Ponte Casa D'aste Srl, Milan MI, Italy. Arte Moderna e Contemporanea 15 dec 2020, Lot # 31. Illustrated on page 99 of the catalog
Literature: L. Laurin-Lam; E. Lam Lam. Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work Volume II 19611982, Edition Acatos, Lausanne 2002, p. 396 n. 73.29 ill b.w.
COA by Eskil Lam
“Bird” 1970 Pastel on paper 34 x 29 in COA by Lou-Laurin Lam
“Untitled” 1959 Pastel on paper 19 x 25 in COA by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris.
“Untitled” 1957 Pastel on paper 22 x 28 in Provenance: Gallery Ferrari, Treviglio, Italy. State Marcelo Ferrari, Italy. Capitolium Casa D’ Aste, Brescia, Italy. Private Collection, Paris, France.
COA by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris, France.
Provenance: Gallerry Dobbelhoef, Kessel. Private Collection, Brussel. Campo and Campo Auction, Antwerp, October23-24, 2018, Lot.113. Private Collection, Boca Raton, Florida.
COA by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris.
“Femme Cheval” 1971 Pastel on paper 24 x 18 in
“Untitled”
Provenance: Sotheby’s, Italy. Contemporary Art / Milan. 09 15 December 2021, lot #52.
“El Guardian del Paraiso” 1981 Bronze Ed. 10 of 92 20 in Literature: Exposicion antologica “Homenaje a Wifredo Lam” 1902-1982. Museo Nacional de Arte Contemporaneo, Madrid; Musee d’Art Moderne de la Villw de Paris; Musee d’Ixelles, Bruxelles. Ministerio de Cultura de España; Ministerio de Cultura de Cuba. Illustrated in black and White on page 178.
“Bird of Fire” 1970
Bronze and metal Ed. of 500 10 x 4 x 6 in
The Fish 1962 Bronze Edition of 200 15 in
Untitled” 1970 Ink on paper
x 26 in COA by Eskil Lam, Lam Foundation, Paris.