Karel Appel - Performing Circus Cow with Dancing Cat - 1974 - Offset Poster
Condition: good, never used, as new. See photos.
Limited edition offset poster, not numbered and unsigned (Karel Appel never signed reproductions). The original painting was made in 1974 as the first prize of a painting contest hosted by a Dutch-based company called Biotex. The contest was judged by Karel Appel. See also the photo of the (Dutch) newspaper article. Approximately 250 offset posters were made of this painting. These posters were exclusively made for the contest and the participants of it. The remaining posters were inherited by the daughter of the creator of the contest and these are the posters we are currently selling. They are in mint condition, despite being almost 50 years old.
The original work sold for € 126.000 at a Sotheby's auction in 2007.
Karel Appel himself made a contract for Biotex and their contest in a handwritten letter (see photos). An artprint of this letter will be included with the purchase of this poster (12.4" x 17.7" / 31.5 x 45 cm in size).
The contents of this letter translate to the following:
New York, April 7th 1974
To Kortman & Schulte B.V., Dordrecht
The undersigned, Karel Appel, hereby declares to be willing to agree to the following.
1. Before the end of July 1974, he will deliver a painting measuring about 150 x 125 cm (= 59" x 49.2") to Kortman & Schulte B.V. in Dordrecht.
2. It is known to him that this painting is to be the first prize of the national Biotex campaign 1974-1975.
3. He hereby agrees to not exhibit nor photograph the painting and not show it to any third party.
4. He agrees to give the colouring competition maximum exposure through both the press as through radio and television commercials.
5. In principle, he agrees to be willing to be part of the jury if possible.
Karel Appel
P.S. He relinquishes the reproduction rights of this painting.
Paper Size (L/W): 33.5" x 33.5" / 85 cm x 85 cm
Image Size (L/W): 32.3" x 32.3" / 82 cm x 82 cm
Secure shipping by registered and insured post, safely rolled and sent in a tube.