May Premier Antique & Collectibles
Lot 136:
Description
Image Dimensions: 47 1/4 x 47 1/4 in (120 x 120 cm)
Signed (verso)
This lot is accompanied by a consignor-provided COA or related documentation, offered as received.
Albert Oehlen’s "Horse Head" (1994) is a striking example of the artist’s transitional period in the early 1990s, during which he fused figuration and abstraction to push the limits of painting. Born in 1954 in Germany, Oehlen is considered one of the most radical and experimental artists following the Neo-Expressionist generation, known for combining digital imagery, oil painting, collage, and computer graphics into a unique and provocative visual language.
In this work, the head of a horse is depicted in an exaggerated, almost satirical form, with bulging glass-like eyes and distorted contours. The use of bold, clashing colors and geometric patterns creates a surreal, psychologically charged image. The horse stares out from the canvas, its cartoonish features imbued with unsettling intensity, revealing Oehlen’s ongoing critique of image culture and the tradition of painting.
The near-square format enhances the painting’s visual impact, pulling the viewer into direct confrontation with the creature’s gaze. Thick strokes of oil, enamel, and acrylic paint combine to form a richly layered surface. This demonstrates Oehlen’s virtuosic control of materials and his willingness to subvert classical composition in favor of chaotic, expressive mark-making. Art historically, the work bridges German Expressionist traditions with a digital-age reevaluation of visual media.
On the market, Oehlen’s paintings have achieved remarkable momentum. His "Self-Portrait with a Blank Mind" sold for USD 7.8 million at Sotheby’s in 2023. Works like "Horse Head" that encapsulate his iconoclastic style and feature large-scale formats have been increasingly sought after at Christie’s and Phillips. His paintings are held in major museum collections such as the Tate Modern in London and the New Museum in New York.
This work has powerful spatial adaptability, ideal for bold interior settings such as lobbies, exhibition feature walls, or contemporary private collections requiring high-impact statement pieces.
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