Composition by Ernest Mancoba

General

Object Auto ID

24842

Alternate Codes

objectautoid_sahrisv1_32957

Common Name

Painting

Classified Name

Oil painting on canvas

Painting

Local Name

Composition

Quantity

1.00

Object Description

An abstract composition of black lines and geometric shapes in rust/ochre, mustard-yellow, dull blue and grey.

Provenance

Acquired in 2003 by the African Sky Trust from a collection in Venezuela, which focused on CoBrA artworks.CoBrA was a European avant-garde movement active from 1948 to 1951. The name was coined in 1948 by Christian Dotremont from the initials of the members' home cities: Copenhagen (Co), Brussels (Br), Amsterdam (A).

Owner

African Sky Trust

Description

Material Types

Oil paint

Technique Types

Oil Painting

Distinguishing Features

On the reverse (verso) side of the canvas is another painting by the artist, stylistically different to the recto. It is over-painted and 'scratched' with blue and white brush marks - an indication that the artist must not have been happy with the result. A similar composition to this verso painting can be seen in 'Untitled'(1959), Johannesburg Art Gallery collection (illustrated in 'In the Name of all Humanity: the African Spiritual Expression of E Mancoba', p.65). On the verso is also the artist's signature, an arrow indicating the direction of display, and exhibition labels obscured by the frame.

Inscriptions

Signed, verso: MANCOBA / 51