Lot 447: Leon Ferrari Conceptual Painting on Newspaper, Deuteronimo

Leon Ferrari (Argintina, 1920-2013) conceptual art arcylic painting on newspaper, “Deuteronimo” (Foto 27), c. 2000. Black Spanish text from Deuteronomy 27:15 painted over a March 30, 2000, La Nacion (Buenos Aires) newspaper page, which reads “Maldito el hombre que hiciere escultura o imagen de funcicion abominacion a Jehova, obra de mano de artifice DT 37.15” (Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman). A headline above a photo of Pope John Paul II captioned “Monsenor Stanislaw Dziwisz asiste al Pontifice, en la plaza de San Pedro” (Monsenor Stanislaw Dziwisz attends the Pontifice, in the Plaza de San Pedro) reads “El Papa bendijo a la Virgen de San Nicolas” (The Pope blessed the Virgin of San Nicolas). Inscribed “Foto 27” to upper right corner en verso. With Ruth Benzacar Galleria de Arte label affixed to backing along with additional informational labels. Housed under glass in a metallic frame with white mat. Sheet: 22 3/4 in. H x 13 3/4 in. W. Framed: 28 1/2 in. H x 19 3/8 in. W. Note: Although the quoted Bible verse is taken from Deuteronomy 27:15, Ferrari’s text reads 37.15, which is not a verse in Deuteronomy. The current painting aligns with Ferrari’s longtime interest in the censorship of religious content in art. According to the Tate Modern, London: “‘Art is not beauty or novelty, art is effectiveness and disruption,’ Ferrari wrote. Throughout his career he used his art to draw attention to state-sponsored crimes and censorship. He often criticised the Argentine government and the Catholic Church for their human rights abuses. In 1976, a right-wing military dictatorship seized power in Argentina. Due to his political stance, Ferrari and his family were forced to flee to Brazil. His son, Ariel, was one of the many citizens abducted by the military. His whereabouts remain unknown and he is presumed to be dead.” Biographical Note: “Leon Ferrari studied engineering at the University of Buenos Aires and, after graduating in 1947, worked on several construction projects in Cordoba with his father, an Italian architect, painter and photographer who emigrated to Argentina in 1915. Ferrari never had any formal art training, which he considers an advantage. He has had numerous solo exhibitions, including the gallery of Ruth Benzacar (Buenos Aires), The Drawing Center (New York), Museo de Arte Moderno (Buenos Aires), Centro Recoleta (Buenos Aires) and the Museu de Arte Moderna (Sao Paulo). Between April and June 2009 he was featured in Tangled Alphabets: Leon Ferrari and Mira Schendel at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.” (Source: Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona).

PROVENANCE: Private Memphis Collection, ex-Ruth Benzacar Galleria de Arte, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition, with even toning to newsprint and a vertical fold line at right, as issued. Not examined out of frame.