A watercolor painting by Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky, believed to have been lost for more than seven decades, was sold at an auction for $1.4 million.
The painting, Gebogene Spitzen (Curved Tips), was painted in 1927 when the expressionist taught at the Bauhaus German school of art.
After being recorded as sold in 1949, art historians became unsure of its location. The only proof of its existence was a small sketch of it in a list of his artworks by art historian Vivian Endicott Barnett.
The geometric painting by Wassily Kandinsky hadn't been seen in public for over 70 years before turning up in Germany.
— Thomas Sparrow (@Thomas_Sparrow) June 21, 2021
Its rediscovery has been dubbed an "art-historical sensation."https://t.co/ArzLYRYg75
Munich auction house Ketterer Kunst said the painting then surfaced in the estate of a private German collector in May.
"I am all the more delighted that we were able to identify such an outstanding work," auction house owner Robert Ketterer said of the work. "Many Kandinsky experts did research into the work, however, its exact appearance and whereabouts remained a mystery for decades."
Wassily Kandinsky painting thought lost for 70 years sells for $1.4M https://t.co/mqtcTM2o1M
— UPI.com (@UPI) June 23, 2021
A Berlin collector purchased the painting Saturday at auction.
Kandinsky was known as a pioneer of abstract painting, leaning heavily on bright color palettes and geometric figures.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
