Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. Titled “Kleiner Steingarten” (Small Rock Garden) on the reverse by a hand other than that of the artist. 48.5 x 37.7 cm.
[MH].
- The painting is one of the earliest versions of the rock garden theme. - As an artist ostracized by the Nazis, Baumeister pursued his path with unwavering consistency and is now considered one of the most important artists of the modern era. - Most recently, the Museum Folkwang in Essen honored the artist with the exhibition “Willi Baumeister - Zeitzeichen” (February 23 - June 16, 2024).
LITERATURE: Peter Beye, Felicitas Baumeister, Willi Baumeister. Catalogue raisonné of paintings, vol. II, Ostfildern 2002, catalog no. 870 (illustrated) Will Grohmann, Willi Baumeister. Life and Work, Cologne 1963, catalog no. 583 (illustrated, there titled “Steingarten V”). - Will Grohmann, Gemälde und Zeichnungen von Willi Baumeister, Bildmappe des Verlags Gerd Hatje, Stuttgart 1947, no. 7 (illustrated). Gottfried Boehm, Willi Baumeister, Stuttgart 1995, pp. 28 f., p. 170, no. 41 (illustrated).

Willi Baumeister, Württembergischer Kunstverein, Stuttgart, January 23-February 21, 1954, cat. no. 157. Willi Baumeister - Fernand Léger, Kunsthandel Wolfgang Werner, Berlin, September 7-November 5, 1996; Bremen, November 13-December 14, 1996, cat. no. 12 (illustrated))

Gerd Hatje Collection, Stuttgart. Wolfgang Werner Art Dealership, Bremen/Berlin (1996). Private collection, Bavaria (1996, in family ownership since then)

In good condition. With fine craquelure. Along the outer edges of the image with a few expertly retouched spots. The condition report was compiled in daylight and with the help of a UV light source to the best of our knowledge and belief.