Description:

Jose-Maria Cundin (Spanish/New Orleans, b. 1938), "Las Visitaciones de Palemon El Estilita", 1978, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, signed, titled and dated en verso, "Covo de longh Gallery" stamp en verso, 60 in. x 50 in., framed. Provenance: Covo de Iongh Gallery, Houston, TX, 1978. Note: In "Las Visitaciones de Palemon El Estilita" dating from 1978, Jose-Maria Cundin uses a soft pastel palette to convey the tale of Palemon the Stylite, the eponymous main character of the poem, “Palemon El Estilita” by Colombian writer, Guillermo Valencia Castillo (1873-1943). The poem recounts the life of an early Christian hermit who lived atop a granite column. Though he had many followers who would listen to his proselytizing and even bring him food, no amount of beckoning could tear the devout ascetic from the top of his pillar for a number of years. Cundin’s interpretation of the story showcases an array of Palemon’s visitors vying for space atop the column with him, some even suspended in the air. Using an ethereal pink backdrop, Cundin gives the impression that the column reaches the heavens. Alas, the long distance from Earth proves no respite from the metaphorical secular turbulence depicted on the canvas. The crowded scene delivers a visual feast of sensuous distractions: a man screaming through a blowhorn, a large po-boy sandwich (likely a humorous nod by the artist to his adopted hometown of New Orleans), animals such as a cat and pig, and a group of loud revelers. All of these characters dominate the composition, yet in the center is Palemon, pious in mid-sermon, oblivious to the commotion in which he is entrenched. Neal Auction Company would like to thank Jose-Maria and Marion Cundin for their assistance with this catalogue note.

  • Condition: 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.

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September 15, 2018 10:00 AM CDT
New Orleans, LA, US

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