Lot 169
Jiří Kolář (1914 - 2002) LAUGHTER OF THE UNIVERSE

1975
Chiasmage on wood
100 x 70 cm (h x w)
From behind "Jiří Kolář 75"

Starting price
120 000 CZK
   |   4 615 €
Price realized
360 000 CZK
   |   13 846 €
price without premium

In his works, Jiří Kolář often refers to works of classical literature or icons of fine art, and one of them is the exceptionally engaging relief chiasmage Laughter of the Universe. The familiar silhouette of Charlie Chaplin raises plastically from the surface of the plate, and this graceful outline is covered with clusters of constellations from star maps. The dynamics of the surface is emphasized by the contrast of the colored lines of the constellations and the black background. The constellations gather and concentrate on Charlie Chaplin, as if to indicate that he is their soulmate who made the whole universe laugh. Chiasmage with the usage of constellations can be observed in Jiří Kolář's previously auctioned theme of the Star Apple. Important Czech artist, poet, translator, experimenter and organizer Jiří Kolář, as a self-taught person from his poetic roots, formed through various stages of his work to the position of one of the most respected artists of the European format. Already during his life he became a legend and to this day he is a sought-after artist in world galleries and auction houses.

More works from auction

COMMENTARIES ON ARISTOTLE

Lot 1 Johann Maier von Eck (1486 - 1543) COMMENTARIES ON ARISTOTLE

Starting price
38 000 CZK | 1 462 €
Sold
PILGRIMAGE OF THE SAINTS

Lot 2 Daniel Adam z Veleslavína (1546 - 1599) PILGRIMAGE OF THE SAINTS

Starting price
45 000 CZK | 1 731 €
Price realized
110 000 CZK | 4 231 €
DE MEDICA MATERIA WITH COMMENTARIES

Lot 3 Pietro Andrea Mattioli (1501 - 1577) DE MEDICA MATERIA WITH COMMENTARIES

Starting price
45 000 CZK | 1 731 €
Sold
GARDENER'S HANDBOOK

Lot 4 Jean-Baptiste de la Quintinye (1626 - 1688) GARDENER'S HANDBOOK

Starting price
15 000 CZK | 577 €
Price realized
19 000 CZK | 731 €
BRITISH ZOOLOGY

Lot 5 Thomas Pennant (1726 - 1798) BRITISH ZOOLOGY

Starting price
15 000 CZK | 577 €
Price realized
55 000 CZK | 2 115 €
OEUVRES COMPLETES. AVEC DE EXTRAITS DE DAUBENTON.

Lot 6 George Louis Leclerc de Buffon (1707 - 1788) OEUVRES COMPLETES. AVEC DE EXTRAITS DE DAUBENTON.

Starting price
15 000 CZK | 577 €
Price realized
60 000 CZK | 2 308 €
HERCULES AND THE HYDRA

Lot 7 Unknown author HERCULES AND THE HYDRA

Starting price
17 000 CZK | 654 €
Price realized
20 000 CZK | 769 €
IN HEPHAISTOS' WORKSHOP

Lot 8 Jacopo Palma il Giovanne (1548 - 1628) (attributed) IN HEPHAISTOS' WORKSHOP

Starting price
15 000 CZK | 577 €
TREE

Lot 9 Gillis van Conixloo I. (1544 - 1607) (attributed) TREE

Starting price
18 000 CZK | 692 €
Price realized
18 000 CZK | 692 €
PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN

Lot 10 Rafael Santi (1483 - 1520) (follower) PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN

Starting price
15 000 CZK | 577 €
Price realized
26 000 CZK | 1 000 €
PUTTO

Lot 11 Bartholomeus Spranger (1546 - 1611) (attributed) PUTTO

Starting price
30 000 CZK | 1 154 €
FORTUNA

Lot 12 Hendrik Goltzius (1558 - 1617) (attributed) FORTUNA

Starting price
25 000 CZK | 962 €