Oil on canvas. Signed and dated on the reverse of the canvas. Twice dated and titled, and inscribed “297/57” on the stretcher. Also inscribed “63", “oben”, and with a direction arrow, as well as the word “Rome” on the stretcher, presumably by a hand other than that of the artist. 86 x 90.5 cm.
The work is inscribed “OE 297” on the reverse side. It is listed as “OE 297a” on the index card in the Geiger Archive. [CH].
- Early painting by the great German representative of Color Field Painting, inspiring with its gentle oscillation between color tones and strong light-dark contrasts. - His works were exhibited internationally from the mid-1950s onward, for example, in the United States: in 1959, the artist received the prestigious Solomon R. Guggenheim Award there. - In 1959, Geiger participated in the second documenta in Kassel. - The paintings from the late 1950s and early 1960s are his most sought-after works on the international auction market (source: artprice.com). - Comparable works are in prominent museum collections like the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, the Kunstmuseum Düsseldorf, the State Museums Berlin, and the Museum Folkwang in Essen.
We are grateful to Julia Geiger of the Geiger Archive in Munich for her kind expert advice.
LITERATURE: Rupprecht-Geiger-Gesellschaft, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich (eds.), edited by Pia Dornacher and Julia Geiger, Rupprecht Geiger. Catalogue Raisonné 1942-2002. Gemälde und Objekte, architekturbezogene Kunst, Munich 2003, CR no. 257 (illustrated in color on p. 109). - - Ketterer Kunst, Munich, 255th Auction, Art of the 20th Century Part I, May 19, 2001, lot 60 (illustrated).

Malerei in der Revolte. Deutsche Abstrakte der 50er und 60er Jahre, Stiftung Kulturpflege und Kulturförderung der Kreissparkkasse, Grevenbroich, 1988 (illustrated)

Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia (purchased directly from the artist). Private collection, Berlin (purchased from the above in 2001, Ketterer Kunst)