Description:

Fritz Bultman (American/New Orleans, 1919-1985), "The Wave", painted cast aluminum, unsigned, h. 25 1/2 in., w. 37 in., d. 13 in., wood pedestal, overall h. 55 in. Provenance: Commissioned by Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, VA; Private Collection. Note: A native of New Orleans, Fritz Bultman lived a bohemian childhood with his extended family, which owned the House of Bultman funeral home on St. Charles Avenue. Exposed to writers, painters, antique collectors, and musicians throughout his formative years, Bultman formed a particular friendship with the artist Morris Graves and eventually moved to New York to start his career. During the 1960s, and continuing throughout his career, Bultman introduced the color blue and the “wave” form into his paintings, drawings, collages, and sculptures. Bultman also changed his method of creating art, switching from working in one medium at a time to slowly and methodically producing art in various media with overlapping colors and themes. The wave motif, the infinity symbol, and the idea of yin and yang were all significant subjects to which Bultman was greatly attracted. Bultman wrote in his journal, “The vase [or vessel] quality of the female body was the first that forced itself into my conscious mind, then the wave meander, then the [twined] ropeness of the twisted torso and arms in space.” Taking this description into account, the viewer could easily imagine the current lot as a stylized representation of the spine, hips, and legs of a model, reimagined as a sinuous form one would find in the breaking surfs of the ocean. This essential theme, which reappeared time and time again throughout Bultman’s oeuvre, was critical to expanding his artistic concepts from the 1960s to the 1980s. Ref.: Kingsley, April. Fritz Bultman: A Retrospective. New Orleans: New Orleans Museum of Art, 1993.

  • Notes: All lots are sold “As is” and “Where is”. Neal Auction provides condition reports on items with a low estimate over $500 as a courtesy to aid in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalogue or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. Completed condition reports are posted as an additional image with the lot. Neal Auction does not give refunds.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

November 18, 2017 10:00 AM CST
New Orleans, LA, US

Neal Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $49,999 $500
$50,000 $999,999 $5,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $10,000
$2,000,000 $2,999,999 $15,000
$3,000,000 + $20,000