Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), Je t'aime No. III with Loaf of Bread

Robert Motherwell (1915-1991)
Je t'aime No. III with Loaf of Bread
signed, titled and dated twice '"JE T'AIME, NO. III, WITH LOAF OF BREAD." 27 April 55 Robert Motherwell July 1955' (on the reverse)
oil and charcoal on canvas
72 x 54 in. (182.8 x 137.1 cm.)
Painted in 1955.

Special Notice
On occasion, Christie's has a direct financial interest in the outcome of the sale of certain lots consigned for sale. This will usually be where it has guaranteed to the Seller that whatever the outcome of the auction, the Seller will receive a minimum sale price for the work. This is known as a minimum price guarantee.
Where Christie's has provided a Minimum Price Guarantee it is at risk of making a loss, which can be significant, if the lot fails to sell. Christie's therefore sometimes chooses to share that risk with a third party. In such cases the third party agrees prior to the auction to place an irrevocable written bid on the lot. The third party is therefore committed to bidding on the lot and, even if there are no other bids, buying the lot at the level of the written bid unless there are any higher bids. In doing so, the third party takes on all or part of the risk of the lot not being sold. If the lot is not sold, the third party may incur a loss. In most cases, Christie’s compensates the third party in exchange for accepting this risk with remuneration based on a fixed fee if the third party is the successful bidder or, if the third party is not the successful bidder, either a fixed fee or an amount calculated against the lot’s hammer price. The third party may also bid for the lot above the written bid. Where the third party is the successful bidder, Christie’s will report the final purchase price net of the fixed financing fee for taking on the guarantee risk.
Third party guarantors are required by us to disclose to anyone they are advising their financial interest in any lots they are guaranteeing. However, for the avoidance of any doubt, if you are advised by or bidding through an agent on a lot identified as being subject to a third party guarantee you should always ask your agent to confirm whether or not he or she has a financial interest in relation to the lot. This is a lot where Christie’s holds a direct financial guarantee interest that is backed by a third party’s irrevocable bid.

Provenance
Janice and Clement Greenberg, New York, acquired directly from the artist, 1956
Their sale; Christie's, New York, 05 May 1982, lot 39
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

Pre-Lot Text
The Defining Gesture: Modern Masters from the Eppler Family Collection

Literature
M. Sawin, "In the Galleries," Arts, vol. 31, no. 10, September 1957, p. 56.
L. Nordness, ed., Art: USA: Now, New York, 1963, vol. 2, p. 290 (illustrated).
C. Greenberg, "A Famous Art Critic's Collection," Vogue, vol. 143, no. 2, 15 January 1964, p. 94 (illustrated in color).
H. H. Arnason, "Robert Motherwell: The Years 1948 to 1965," Art International, vol. 10, no. 4, 20 April 1966, p. 28.
H. H. Arnason, Robert Motherwell, New York, 1977, pp. 38 and 40, pl. 19 (illustrated).
H. H. Arnason, Robert Motherwell, New York, 1982, pp. 11 and 40, pl. 32 (illustrated).
R. Reif, "Auction Prices for Quality Works Holding Firm," New York Times, 24 May 1982, p. C17.
J. Ianco-Starrels, "National Post for Andrews," Los Angeles Times, 30 May 1982, p. C83.
R. Reif, "Silver Linings at 2 Galleries," New York Times, 16 July 1982, p. C26.
"Robert Motherwell's Market," Artnewsletter, vol. 8, no. 14, 8 March 1983, p. 4.
R. W. Walker and V. F. Brooks, "The Art Market: All's Motherwell," Artnews, vol. 82, no. 5, May 1983, p. 9.
J. Flam, Motherwell, Oxford, 1991, n.p., pl. 35 (illustrated in color).
C. Thierolf, Amerikanische Kunst des 20. Jahrhunderts in der Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, 2002, p. 269, fig. 6 (illustrated).
J. Flam, K. Rogers and T. Clifford, eds., Robert Motherwell, Paintings and Collages, A Catalogue Raisonné, 1941-1991, Volume Two: Paintings on Canvas and Panel, New Haven and London, 2012, pp. 96-98, no. P159 (illustrated in color).
J. Flam, K. Rogers and T. Clifford, Motherwell: 100 Years, New York, 2015, pp. 145-146 and 150, fig. 144 and 147 (illustrated in color and installation view illustrated).

Exhibited
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The One Hundred and Fifty-first Annual Exhibition of American Painting and Sculpture, January-February 1956.
New York, Camino Gallery, June Salon, June 1956.
New York, Sidney Janis Gallery, Robert Motherwell, May-June 1957, no. 7.
Madrid, Museo Nacional de Arte Contemporáneo; Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum; Brussels, Palais des Beaux-Arts; Paris, Musée National d’ Art Moderne; London, Tate Gallery; Museum of Modern Art, New York, The New American Painting, April 1958-September 1959, no. 48.
Cleveland Museum of Art, The Art of Collecting Modern Art, 1986, n.p., fig. 26 (illustrated in color).