Wifredo Lam - Modern and Contemporary Editions New York Wednesday, May 21, 2008 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Miguel Berrocal, directly from the artist

  • Catalogue Essay

    Early in 1970 Wifredo Lam followed the advice of his friend the Spanish sculptor, Miguel Berrocal, into realizing limited editions of his work.  Together they chose one of Lam's typical and recognizable pieces: the bird, and worked on the concept of "oiseau de fer et oiseau de feu." Two birds in different colors, one in brass and the other in nickel plated brass. Lam, the painter, appointed Berrocal, the sculptor, to solve the technical part: all the process, from the first prototype, made into several elements for casting purposes, to the finished casting was supervised directly by Miguel Berrocal.

  • Artist Biography

    Wifredo Lam

    Cuban • 1902 - 1982

    Wifredo Lam was born in Sagua la Grande, Cuba and was of mixed Chinese, European, Indian and African descent. He studied under Fernando Álvarez de Sotomayor, curator for the Museo del Prado and teacher of Salvador Dalí.

    While studying in Spain, he met Pablo Picasso, who would become his mentor and friend as well as one of his great supporters, introducing him to the intelligentsia of the time. Lam significantly contributed to modernism during his prolific career as painter, printmaker, sculptor and ceramist. His works explored Cubism and expanded the inventive parameters of Surrealism while negotiating figuration and abstraction with a unique blend of Afro-Cuban and Surrealist iconography. His iconic visual language incorporated syncretic and fantastical objects and combined human-animal figures fused with lush vegetation.

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PROPERTY FROM THE BERROCAL FAMILY COLLECTION

148

Oiseau de fer et Oiseau de feu

1970
Two multiple objects (brass and chrome-plated brass),  
both overall: 10 1/2 x 5 x 7 in. (26.7 x 12.7 x 17.8 cm).
both with inscribed signature and numbered 68/500A and 68/500B, both in good condition.

Estimate
$10,000 - 15,000 

Sold for $12,500

Modern and Contemporary Editions

21 May 2008, 2pm
New York