GIACOMO BALLA (1871-1958) - Lot 26

GIACOMO BALLA (1871-1958) Linea di velocità, 1914 Charcoal drawing Signed FUTUR BALLA, and monogrammed lower right 42.5 x 63.3 cm PROVENANCE Joseph Slifka Collection, New York. Christie's, The italien sale, London, Oct 24 2005, lot 3, acquired by André Bernheim and Claude de Soria, then by descent. BIBLIOGRAPHY G. Lista, Balla, Modena, 1982, № 366 (illustrated p. 214 and described p. 213). EXHIBITIONS Milan, Palazzo Reale, Arte Italiana del XX secolo da collezioni americane, April to June 1960, then in Rome, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, July to September 1960, described and reproduced № 14, p. 27. Turin, Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna, Giacomo Balla, April 4, 1963, № 102, described p. 70 and reproduced p. 40. Giacomo Balla was an Italian painter and sculptor, born in 1871. He began his career studying fine art and working as an illustrator and portraitist. Influenced by Divisionism and theories of light, he later moved closer to the Futurist movement in the early 20th century. By 1914, Balla was already a major figure in Futurism, an artistic movement that sought to capture the dynamics, speed and energy of modern life. His works from this period, such as "Linee di velocità" (Lines of Speed), perfectly illustrated these concepts. Balla used geometric shapes, vibrant colors and repetitive patterns to represent movement and transformation. This period marked a milestone in his work, as he sought to visually translate the concepts of speed and modernity, becoming one of the most influential artists of Italian Futurism. In 1914, Giacomo Balla used charcoal on paper to capture the essence of movement and speed. With dynamic lines, sharp contrasts and simplified forms, he managed to infuse his compositions with great visual intensity, translating Futurist dynamism and energy onto paper. Expert : Cabinet Maréchaux info@cabinetmarechaux.com + 33 1 44 42 90 10 Please request condition reports prior to sale: they are not included in the data sheets.