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“La bataille de Salamine” by Hugo Cleis, abstraction, 20th century - Switzerland
€2,090Bid from €1,900
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Exceptional painting by the Swiss artist Hugo Cleis. Cleis began his artistic career with Swiss Expressionism, which featured social themes, although in the mid-1940s his work focused on popular, legendary, and mythical themes, without abandoning naturalistic and expressive representation. This work, "The Battle of Salamis," falls precisely within this context. The work also belongs to the painter's most abstract period, during which he focused on conveying a symbolic message in his dynamic works. The Battle of Salamis was a crucial naval engagement that took place in 480 BC during the Persian Wars. This victory was decisive in preserving the independence of the Greek city-states and marked a turning point in the history of ancient Greece. This could be related to the fact that the 1940s were a complex and delicate period for Switzerland due to the context of World War II (1939–1945). Although Switzerland maintained its traditional policy of armed neutrality, it was surrounded by the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and occupied France), placing it in a strategic but vulnerable position. The technique itself, with rapid, highly material brushstrokes, also contributes to this sense of agitation and tension. Although the forms are highly fragmented, the two vessels, immersed in a naval battle, are clearly distinguishable. The predominant colors are blue, gray, and black, with details in white and ochre (the use of such cool colors adds drama to the scene). Signed in the lower left corner. About Hugo / Ugo Cleis (1903, Diepflingen - 1976, Mendrisio) Hugo Cleis, also known as Ugo Cleis, was a prominent Swiss artist born on April 5, 1903, in Diepflingen, in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, and died on September 13, 1976, in Mendrisio, Ticino. His work spanned and excelled in a variety of disciplines, including painting, printmaking, illustration, muralism, and mosaics. After the loss of his father, the family settled in Sissach, where Cleis trained as a decorative painter. Between 1921 and 1923, he studied at the Kunstgewerbe Akademie in Dresden, specializing in decorative painting and stage design. He subsequently perfected his technique in Geneva and Italy. Throughout his career, he worked on various projects in Switzerland and abroad, notable for his murals, frescoes, and mosaics in public and private buildings. From 1928, he began painting in oils and watercolors. In 1931, he moved to Mendrisiotto, and that same year he joined the Ticino branch of the SPSAS and, later, joined the region's Fine Arts Society. His first solo exhibitions took place between 1930 and 1937 in Sissach. His works touch on rural and natural themes in an intimate and symbolic manner, blending realism with expressionism and the fantastic. His style is characterized by a combination of figurative and decorative elements, influenced by Swiss and European artistic traditions. Throughout his career, Cleis received several awards and recognitions, including the Kunstpreis of the City of Zurich in 1953 and the Pietro Chiesa Prize in 1962. He was also director of the Vincenzo Vela Museum in Ligornetto from 1958 to 1974. The Cleis family has maintained an artistic tradition in Switzerland, with several prominent members in the field of art. For example, his nephew, Martin Cleis, is known for his work as a draftsman, photographer, and painter. Technique: Oil on canvas Title of the work: “The Battle of Salamine” Author: Hugo Cleis / Ugo Cleis Signed in the lower left corner Style: Abstraction Period: Mid-20th century Country of origin: Switzerland Good condition according to its age and use Dimensions: 86 x 131 x 3 cm. Shipping of the product will be paid by the buyer according to the dimensions, weight and destination. We will contact you to manage it and agree on the budget. Shipping costs include custom-made professional packaging; and personalized shipping, with tracking number and warranty. The frame that protects the work is offered as a gift, but has value in itself. It is provided at no additional cost so that when your artwork arrives at your home or destination it can be immediately displayed. Any damage to the frame itself, which does not affect the integrity of the artwork, cannot be accepted as a valid reason to open a claim or request a cancellation.
Good condition according to its age and use
Good condition according to its age and use
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsGrey, Blue, White, Multi Color, BlackMaterialCanvasNumber of items1OrientationLandscapeArt sizeLargeHeight86 cmWidth131 cm
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Valladolid, SpainOn Whoppah since October 2024 • 1 sale