Lot 46: Le couple 52 x 43 x 26 cm.

Le couple iron and bronze 52 x 43 x 26 cm.

43 x 26 cm

Paris, Galerie de France, Coulentianos Sculptures, March 2-24, 1962 (illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, p. 29). Venice, XXXII Biennale Internazionale d'Arte, June 20 - October 18, 1964 (listed in the exhibition catalogue, no. 36). Paris, Couvent des Cordeliers, Costa Coulentianos, May 7 - June 18, 1997, no. 30 (illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, p. 38). Literature Nees Morfes magazine, no. 3, May-June 1962, p. 43 (illustrated). Grèce XXXII Biennale Internationale d'Arte Venice, Exhibition catalogue of the Greek participation, Athens 1964 (illustrated). Coulentianos, The Last of the Modern Acrobats, Exhibition catalogue, Benaki Museum, Athens 2012, no. 84, p. 90 (illustrated).

Nees Morfes magazine, no. 3, May-June 1962, p. 43 (illustrated). Grèce XXXII Biennale Internationale d'Arte Venice, Exhibition catalogue of the Greek participation, Athens 1964 (illustrated). Coulentianos, The Last of the Modern Acrobats, Exhibition catalogue, Benaki Museum, Athens 2012, no. 84, p. 90 (illustrated).

R. Vailland collection, France. Private collection, Italy.

Executed in 1961. Bearing a label of the XXXII Biennale Internazionale d'Arte (Venice, 1964) with 878 as reference number (underneath the base). Echoing the repeated indentations of Brancusi's famous Endless column, this compelling work of abstract sculpture conveys a strong sense of upward movement and continuous expansion. First exhibited in Paris in 1962 and then included in the artist's showing at the 1964 Venice Biennale, it relies on angular shapes, fragmented motifs and schematized volumes to capture the inherent geometric structure of matter and bring out the expressive potential of metal. A spirited and innovative artist, Coulentianos is considered one of the most vigorous sculptors of postwar European abstraction, a master of solid and dynamic compositions evolved from pure and balanced forms. The work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity by the artist's son, Ben Coulentianos.