Pavel Tchelitchew (1898-1957) The Living Shell signed and dated 'P Tchelitchew. 44' (lower right) gouache and watercolor on paper 29 15/16 x 22 1/8 in (76 x 56.2 cm) Executed in 1944 Footnotes: The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by Erik LaPrade. Provenance Durlacher Bros, New York. Private collection, New York, by 1964. William Chambers Art, New York. Acquired from the above by the present owner on May 1, 2006. Exhibited New York, Gallery of Modern Art, Pavel Tchelitchew, March 20 – April 16, 1964, no. 279. 'In Tchelitchew's organic universe, heads and bodies, represent the metaphorical source of Nature's intelligence in the physical, spiritual, and mystical realms. An example of this can be found in a major work from Tchelitchew's middle period such as Hide and Seek, (1940-42), where the origin(s) of autumn, winter, spring, and summer, are located in, and blossom into, each particular seasonal head as represented in the painting. The physicality of each head is recognizable even as it undergoes its seasonal transformation. However, beginning around 1940, Tchelitchew began to alter his stylistic approach to portraying human heads and forms, and this new style dominated his work for the rest of his career, until his death in 1957. Tchelitchew's work on the human form now combined a 'realistic' portrait of a person's head or body with an idealized, diagrammatic outline of the same form; the later drawn over the former. The artist moved beyond representational forms and now saw these works as 'interior landscapes,' comparing the human form with its geometric ideal. The five works in this current sale; two spiral heads and three transparent interior forms, are fine representations of the artist's late style.' - Text provided by Erik LaPrade For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing