Erich Heckel
1883 - 1970

Villa Borghese in Rom. 1909.
Color chalks over India Ink drawing.
Signed, dated, and inscribed “Rom” in the lower right corner. On laid paper. Ca. 34.3 x 48.2 cm (13.5 x 18.9 in), the full sheet.
With a second, barely recognizable drawing on the reverse, probably the impression of another chalk drawing by the artist. [AR].

• The Villa Borghese, symbol of the artistic heritage of the Eternal City, becomes a motif for the German Expressionist.
• With great ease and liberated lines, Erich Heckel captures the Italian scenery and transfers it to a new era and understanding of art.
• The Brücke Museum in Berlin has similar works from Heckel's trip to Italy in 1909, which are imbued with the light of the South and the vigor of the then still young artist.

The work is registered in the Erich Heckel Estate, Hemmenhofen on Lake Constance. We are grateful to Ms. Renate Ebner and Mr. Hans Geissler for their kind support in cataloging this lot.

PROVENANCE: Erich and Siddi Heckel Collection (at least until 1964).
Wolfgang Wittrock, Berlin.
Private collection, Great Britain (acquired from the above in 2002).

EXHIBITION: Erich Heckel. Gemälde, Aquarelle, Zeichnungen und Graphik aus dem Privatbesitz des Künstlers, Fränkische Galerie am Marientor, Nuremberg, Jan. 10–Feb. 9, 1964, cat. no. 49 (illustrated on the cover).

LITERATURE: Kornfeld & Klipstein, Bern, auction 145, June 15-17, 1972, lot 384 (illustrated).