Live Auction 16808Modern | British & Irish Art
Sven Berlin (1911-1999)
Lot 63

Sven Berlin (1911-1999)

Pietà

Closed9 April 2019

Price Realised

GBP 6,000

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Sven Berlin (1911-1999)
Pietà
signed with monogram and dated '65' (on the Virgin Mary's right hip)
alabaster, unique
43 ¼ in. (109.9 cm.) high
Carved in 1965.

The Artist's estate.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 11 July 2013, lot 141, where purchased by the present owner.

Specialist note

'During the 1940s when St Ives was becoming the most vibrant centre of artistic creativity in Britain, Sven Berlin was one of its leading characters. His wholehearted and dynamic approach to art and life coupled with a remarkable talent resulted in early success both as sculptor and draughtsman and established him as a central figure in the artistic life of St Ives' (see exhibition catalogue, Sven Berlin, London, Belgrave Gallery, 1989, p. 3).

The Tate Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum, British Museum in London and the National Library of Scotland are among the public collections holding work by Sven Berlin.