Desmond Morris, (British, born 1928)

Cell-Head XIV

Cell-Head XIV
signed with monogram and dated '61' (lower left); further signed with monogram, titled and dated 'Cell head XIV/61' (on sheet verso); further signed, signed with monogram, titled, dated and inscribed 'CELL-HEAD XIV/1961\46./Desmond Morris' (on Artist's label attached to backboard)
oil on paper
65.5 x 46cm (25 13/16 x 18 1/8in).

Provenance
With The Taurus Gallery, Oxford, where acquired by the present owner, 2010
Private Collection, U.K.

Exhibited
Ostend, Museum Voor Moderne Kunst, Desmond Morris, 2002

Literature
S. Levy, Analytical Catalogue Raisonne 1944-2000, Pandora, Antwerp, 2001, p. 238, no. 1961/46, illustrated

The present lot was the Artist's first experiment with thrown paint; having thrown it and allowed it to dry, he then painted in the background, allowing a central head to emerge. He commented that he found the result 'strange, intense and frightening' (S. Levy, ibid. p. 238).