Eugen Spiro subject

merseydave · December 5th, 2011, 06:07 PM

Hi, Does anyone know the subject of this painting? I have been told to look in the catalogue raisonné by Wilko von Abercron, but at over 200 pounds a copy I was hoping either someone may know, or have access to a copy.
Unfortunately the nearest copies to me (Manchester) are in Edinburgh and London!
Many thanks in advance, Dave

Eirene · December 6th, 2011, 11:15 PM

I believe it may be a self portrait of the artist himself.

John · December 7th, 2011, 12:54 AM

Clever! But I'm not sure I agree. For example I don't see much resemblance to this self portrait:

http://www.artvalue.com/auctionresul...is-2694604.htm

Eirene · December 7th, 2011, 01:41 AM

K..I accept your disbelief...hahaha...

Minus the goatee..and check this out. Eyesight may be off a wee bit!! http://www.thatchamfreechurch.org.uk...l/eugen-spiro/

merseydave · December 7th, 2011, 03:41 AM

To be honest I was thinking the same thing myself, that it may be a self portrait.
There is a signature with it, stating the year '43 after it, putting Spiro in his 60's.
Does the subject look to be in their 60's?
Thanks guys all the same.
I have had a mixed response from German auction houses, some refusing outright to deal with it?!?
I hope this is not because of religion still?

John · December 7th, 2011, 11:28 AM

I think it's probably the subject matter. A static painting of an unknown man in a suit is not going to attract a lot of bidders. It's well done, but doesn't have anything in it to interest the eye or the mind. Ask yourself - is this the sort of thing that would catch your eye at an auction and that you'd want to hang in your living room?

Now a self-portrait, that automatically has an interesting subject and a great deal of psychological depth, not to mention historical significance. But I still don't think it is. It's possible, but I've seen about a half-dozen photos and paintings of him now, and they all look like each other but nothing like this.

merseydave · December 7th, 2011, 12:54 PM

I agree on the subject matter John.
In all of the self portraits you have seen, were these post or pre him moving to the States?

John · December 7th, 2011, 01:42 PM

Not really sure. I just looked for a few minutes in Google Images, so you've probably seen the same ones I have. I did stumble across these self-portraits you might not have seen. The first of these is obviously in the U.S.

Self portrait in Central Park, New York, 1954

Self portrait, 1933

Eirene · December 7th, 2011, 03:25 PM

Is this yours? http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lo...8-m-40dfc946d9

Found this catalogue on e-bay - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/EUGEN-SPIRO-1969-Berlin-Museum-Exhibition-Catalog-/220817535971?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3369c0 33e3

merseydave · December 7th, 2011, 07:05 PM

That's the one Eirene, think I posted the pic on my first message?
Was tempted about the catalogue, but given the number of portraits Spiro has done, chances are limited.
Yes John, have seen some of his self portraits, hoping more than likely that if he's done so many, maybe another one wouldn't go amiss!
Didn't spend a great deal on this piece, but value would be a lot better if I could find who the subject is of course!

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December 6th, 2011, 11:15 PM	#2
Eirene Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 624	I believe it may be a self portrait of the artist himself.

December 7th, 2011, 12:54 AM	#3
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	Clever! But I'm not sure I agree. For example I don't see much resemblance to this self portrait: http://www.artvalue.com/auctionresul...is-2694604.htm

December 7th, 2011, 01:41 AM	#4
Eirene Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 624	K..I accept your disbelief...hahaha... Minus the goatee..and check this out. Eyesight may be off a wee bit!! http://www.thatchamfreechurch.org.uk...l/eugen-spiro/

December 7th, 2011, 03:41 AM	#5
merseydave Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 6	To be honest I was thinking the same thing myself, that it may be a self portrait. There is a signature with it, stating the year '43 after it, putting Spiro in his 60's. Does the subject look to be in their 60's? Thanks guys all the same. I have had a mixed response from German auction houses, some refusing outright to deal with it?!? I hope this is not because of religion still?

December 7th, 2011, 11:28 AM	#6
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	I think it's probably the subject matter. A static painting of an unknown man in a suit is not going to attract a lot of bidders. It's well done, but doesn't have anything in it to interest the eye or the mind. Ask yourself - is this the sort of thing that would catch your eye at an auction and that you'd want to hang in your living room? Now a self-portrait, that automatically has an interesting subject and a great deal of psychological depth, not to mention historical significance. But I still don't think it is. It's possible, but I've seen about a half-dozen photos and paintings of him now, and they all look like each other but nothing like this.

December 7th, 2011, 12:54 PM	#7
merseydave Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 6	I agree on the subject matter John. In all of the self portraits you have seen, were these post or pre him moving to the States?

December 7th, 2011, 03:25 PM	#9
Eirene Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 624	Is this yours? http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lo...8-m-40dfc946d9 Found this catalogue on e-bay - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/EUGEN-SPIRO-1969-Berlin-Museum-Exhibition-Catalog-/220817535971?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3369c0 33e3

December 7th, 2011, 07:05 PM	#10
merseydave Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 6	That's the one Eirene, think I posted the pic on my first message? Was tempted about the catalogue, but given the number of portraits Spiro has done, chances are limited. Yes John, have seen some of his self portraits, hoping more than likely that if he's done so many, maybe another one wouldn't go amiss! Didn't spend a great deal on this piece, but value would be a lot better if I could find who the subject is of course!