Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994) Trees at Nekede
Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994)
Trees at Nekede
signed and dated 'Ben Enwonwu/ 1952' (lower left)
oil on canvas laid board
90.5 x 63cm (35 5/8 x 24 13/16in).
Footnotes:
Provenance
Lt. Col. John Etty-Leal;
Thence by descent to the current owner;
A private collection.
The present work was likely included in the 1962 Hampton Institute that toured America through USA Tour in 1950 based on artworks from the Harmon Foundation. This tour extended through the Howard University, Boston, Vasser College, Syracuse University, Bennington College, and the Fisk University.
Enwonwu's masterful use of light and dark, depth, perspective, drama and dynamism of this piece. This piece possesses a particular narrative in its heavy use of light and texture as a focal point of the work. Enwonwu has used variations of paint application, thinning his paint in some areas while others are layered in thick impasto.
An abstract use of red to the centre of the piece is a demonstration of Enwonwus creative flare, but also his acute understanding of colour. Unique its rare varied application, yet coherent with some of Benedict Enwonwus most celebrated and dynamic works such as Marianne, Enwonwus masterful juxtaposition of colour is ever-present through his portraits, landscapes, and forest-scapes. The red and green pigmentation contrast each other, holding the viewers gaze. Passages of red were not an unusual technique used by the artist as this method was employed in some of the artists most championed portraits such as Portrait of Marianne (1972) and My Mama at 80 (1973). This colour technicality trope could be argued as inspired by the impressionist Paul Cézanne, 'Cézanne was a bad technician but he is among the greatest of the Impressionists' (Enwonwu quoted in S. Ogbechie, 2008: p. 107). However, what is unusual is the techniques employment here in a woodland scene.
Trees at Nekede near Oweri, was a common site that Enwonwu visited, evidently holding a special place personally to Enwonwu. Another similar work, Nekede Village Market Owerri (1949) exhibited at Galerie Apollinaire in 1950, demonstrates the artists commitment to the area.
For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994)
Trees at Nekede
signed and dated 'Ben Enwonwu/ 1952' (lower left)
oil on canvas laid board
90.5 x 63cm (35 5/8 x 24 13/16in).
Footnotes:
Provenance
Lt. Col. John Etty-Leal;
Thence by descent to the current owner;
A private collection.
The present work was likely included in the 1962 Hampton Institute that toured America through USA Tour in 1950 based on artworks from the Harmon Foundation. This tour extended through the Howard University, Boston, Vasser College, Syracuse University, Bennington College, and the Fisk University.
Enwonwu's masterful use of light and dark, depth, perspective, drama and dynamism of this piece. This piece possesses a particular narrative in its heavy use of light and texture as a focal point of the work. Enwonwu has used variations of paint application, thinning his paint in some areas while others are layered in thick impasto.
An abstract use of red to the centre of the piece is a demonstration of Enwonwus creative flare, but also his acute understanding of colour. Unique its rare varied application, yet coherent with some of Benedict Enwonwus most celebrated and dynamic works such as Marianne, Enwonwus masterful juxtaposition of colour is ever-present through his portraits, landscapes, and forest-scapes. The red and green pigmentation contrast each other, holding the viewers gaze. Passages of red were not an unusual technique used by the artist as this method was employed in some of the artists most championed portraits such as Portrait of Marianne (1972) and My Mama at 80 (1973). This colour technicality trope could be argued as inspired by the impressionist Paul Cézanne, 'Cézanne was a bad technician but he is among the greatest of the Impressionists' (Enwonwu quoted in S. Ogbechie, 2008: p. 107). However, what is unusual is the techniques employment here in a woodland scene.
Trees at Nekede near Oweri, was a common site that Enwonwu visited, evidently holding a special place personally to Enwonwu. Another similar work, Nekede Village Market Owerri (1949) exhibited at Galerie Apollinaire in 1950, demonstrates the artists commitment to the area.
For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
