Acrylic on paper, framed. Abstract composition. Signed and attr. Frantisek Kupka (Czech, 1871-1957) on lower left corner. 10.2 x 8.3 in. (26 x 21 cm). Frantisek Kupka was a Czech painter and graphic artist who pioneered the abstract movement Orphism. Interested in cosmic forces and the occult, Kupka strove towards the free associative properties of inherent to music though the exploration on color and form. “The creative ability of an artist is manifested only if he succeeds in transforming the natural phenomena into 'another reality,’†he once reflected. “This part of the creative process as an independent element, if conscious and developed, hints at the possibility of creating a painting.†Born on September 23, 1871 in Opocno, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Kupka received his formal training at the Prague Art Academy and the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Vienna. Moving to Paris, he briefly attended the Académie Julian and École des Beaux-Arts before falling into the milieu of the Section d’Or artists. During his career, his work transitioned from figurative paintings such as his self-portrait The Yellow Scale (1907), to the theory based abstraction seen in Disks of Newton (1912). In 1931, along with Hans Arp and Jean Hélion, he co-founded the group Abstraction-Création. The artist continued to exhibit in Europe and the United States throughout the following decades. Kupka died on June 24, 1957 in Puteaux, France. Today, his works are held in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Art Institute of Chicago, among others. PROVENANCE: Southern Ontario estate

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.