Contemporary + Modern: Art & Design
Fri, Jan 28, 2022 01:00AM EST
Lot 49
NICOLAS AFRICANO / The Meaning (1974)
Sold for
$850
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $5,000 | $250 |
| $10,000 | $500 |
| $20,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $2,500 |
| $75,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Nicolas Africano
(Illinois, b. 1948)
The Meaning, 1974
Acrylic on canvas
46" x 28"
Signed and dated to the reverse of the canvas. Across the top of the canvas is written "The Meaning" and each individual image in the painting is labeled, reading from top left to bottom right: "The Waterfall / The Volcano / Rocket Smoke (The Corn Field) / The Tornado / The Reindeer / The Rocket / The Bouquet / The Lake / The White Dog (Broken Heart) / The Black Goose in the Fog / The Ground / The Tree." Around the edges of the canvas is a border of alternating black and white conical paint mounds.
Nicolas Africano referred to this work as "the catalogue" at his 1974 Master's show at Illinois State University, because it lists much of the imagery that was present across his work. Bill Morgan comments: "It's all done with the images- they seem to embrace but then befuddle the classic categories of Natural vs. Human-made."
Provenance: From the Bill & Ellen Morgan collection. Bill Morgan is a professor emeritus of English at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. It was there that he befriended Nicolas Africano, and he quickly became a patron and collector of the Africano's work as well; for a time Morgan rented Africano a room, occasionally accepting artwork in lieu of payment. This far-reaching collection from an early adopter gives a unique opportunity to access rare early works and get an expansive view of the artist during several pivotal moments in his journey.
Alternate spelling: Nicholas Africano
Good to very good condition. Some of the text is difficult to read.
(Illinois, b. 1948)
The Meaning, 1974
Acrylic on canvas
46" x 28"
Signed and dated to the reverse of the canvas. Across the top of the canvas is written "The Meaning" and each individual image in the painting is labeled, reading from top left to bottom right: "The Waterfall / The Volcano / Rocket Smoke (The Corn Field) / The Tornado / The Reindeer / The Rocket / The Bouquet / The Lake / The White Dog (Broken Heart) / The Black Goose in the Fog / The Ground / The Tree." Around the edges of the canvas is a border of alternating black and white conical paint mounds.
Nicolas Africano referred to this work as "the catalogue" at his 1974 Master's show at Illinois State University, because it lists much of the imagery that was present across his work. Bill Morgan comments: "It's all done with the images- they seem to embrace but then befuddle the classic categories of Natural vs. Human-made."
Provenance: From the Bill & Ellen Morgan collection. Bill Morgan is a professor emeritus of English at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. It was there that he befriended Nicolas Africano, and he quickly became a patron and collector of the Africano's work as well; for a time Morgan rented Africano a room, occasionally accepting artwork in lieu of payment. This far-reaching collection from an early adopter gives a unique opportunity to access rare early works and get an expansive view of the artist during several pivotal moments in his journey.
Alternate spelling: Nicholas Africano