Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), Málaga [Málaga (Spanish Elegy Series)]

Robert Motherwell (1915-1991)
Málaga [Málaga (Spanish Elegy Series)]
incised with the artist's initials 'RM' (upper left); signed 'R. Motherwell' (on the reverse)
oil and enamel on Masonite
14 x 17 7/8 in. (35.6 x 45.4 cm.)
Painted in 1949-1950.

Provenance
Private collection, after 1953
Private collection, 1965
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Alsdorf, Chicago
Gift of the above to the present owner, 1970

Saleroom Notice
Please note the date of this work is 1949-1950.

Pre-Lot Text
Property Sold by the Art Institute of Chicago

Literature
S. Preston, “Artists of Today: Recent Painting by Ernst, Motherwell and Others,” New York Times, 19 November 1950, sec. 2, p. 10.
H.H. Arnason, Robert Motherwell, New York, 1977, p. 30.
H.H. Arnason, Robert Motherwell, New York, 1982, p. 30.
J. Flam, Motherwell, New York, 1991, p. 23.
A. Kingsley, The Turning Point: The Abstract Expressionists and the Transformation of American Art, New York, 1992, p. 307.
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, p. 57, no. P91 (illustrated).
J. Flam, K. Rogers and T. Clifford, eds., Robert Motherwell: 100 Years, Milan, 2015, p. 111, no. 114 (illustrated).

Exhibited
New York, Samuel M. Kootz Gallery, Motherwell: First Exhibition of Paintings in Three Years, November-December 1950, no. 2A.
Oberlin, Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Paintings by Robert Motherwell, April-May 1952, no. 6.
Arts Club of Chicago, Adolph Gottlieb, Robert Motherwell, William Baziotes, Hans Hofmann, January-February 1953, no. 12.
Minneapolis, Walker Art Center, Four Abstract Expressionists, February-March 1953.
Madrid, Museo Nacional Centre de Arte Reina Sofia, Black Mountain College: Una Aventura Americana, October 2002-January 2003, p. 98 (illustrated).