Live Auction 9370Christie's Interiors
Conroy Maddox (1912-2005)
Lot 267

Conroy Maddox (1912-2005)

Cabinet des Merveilles; and Threatening Beatle

Closed13 August 2013

Price Realised

GBP 2,250

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Conroy Maddox (1912-2005)
Cabinet des Merveilles; and Threatening Beatle
the first signed and dated 'Conroy Maddox/'41' (lower right), signed again, inscribed and dated again 'Cabinet des Merveilles/Conroy Maddox 1941' (on the reverse); the second signed and dated 'Conroy Maddox/'48' (lower right) and inscribed 'Threatening Beatle' (on the reverse)
pencil, gouache and ink, unframed; and felt-tip and gouache on board, unframed
11½ x 16½ in. (29.2 x 41.9 cm.); and 10½ x 8¼ in. (26.7 x 21 cm.)
two in the lot (2)

Cabinet des Merveilles: Anonymous sale; Phillips, London, 25 September 2001, lot 159.
Threatening beetle: Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner.

Specialist note

The second part of this lot. This work employs 'écrémage', a semi-automatic technique that Maddox had invented in 1939 at the age of 28. Maddox explained the technique: 'In a tray one would put water and then add dabs of oil paint. The paper would then be skimmed across to produce an extraordinary effect.' This work has a background of écrémage onto which a deliberate form is outlined.
This work will be included in the Catalogue Raisonné of Conroy Maddox by Silvano Levy.