Karel Appel sculpture La Vierge Noire (The Black Virgin), c. 1975 greets us in a colorful interpretation of an anthropomorphic figure. With wild facial features such a human-like nose, eyes, and ears, this work demands attention while taking us into the wild imagination of Appel. Painted with bright greens, blues, yellows, and reds, this wooden sculpture withholds a wild energy. Waves of colors splash over each other on its body while its crimson red eyes stare in to the eyes of the beholder. Bold and fierce are Appel’s conveying of emotion and passion. Truly electrifying, it’s almost as if Appel takes mechanical parts and formulates them into one invention. The dimensionality creates an essence of exoticism. Reminiscent of tribal masks and totem poles, Appel’s vision and creativity are perfectly captured in this piece. Vigorous is his own imagination fused within this work, Karel Appel radically and primitively styles mass of materials into existence.

Created around 1975, La Vierge Noire (The Black Virgin) is an acrylic on wood sculpture that is hand-signed ‘Appel’ by Karel Appel (Amsterdam, 1921-Zürich, 2006) in blue on the front base. This work is from an edition of 25.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Karel Appel sculpture La Vierge Noire (The Black Virgin), c. 1975 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. A Certificate of Authenticity will be included with the sale of the Karel Appel sculpture La Vierge Noire (The Black Virgin), c. 1975.