Lot 128
HAROLD TOWN
Lot 128 Details
HAROLD TOWN
TWO WORKS: ENIGMA NO. 10 (WEDDING COUPLE AND CAMERA) AND ENIGMA NO. 12 (CAPTAIN AND STOVE)
ink and wash on light brown paper
both signed, the first dated “3-4-5-2-/64”, the second dated “11-14-2-/64”
19.25 ins x 22.75 ins; 48.9 cms x 57.8 cms
Estimate $7,000-$9,000
Additional Images
Provenance:
Walter and Else Landauer, Toronto
Private Collection, Toronto
Literature:
David Burnett, Town, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 1986, pages 142-152 for an extensive discussion of the Enigma Series.
Exhibited:
XXXII Esposizione Biennale Internazionale d’Arte, (Venice Biennale), Venice, Italy, 1964, cat. no.35 and cat. no.36 respectively
Note:
According to David Burnett, the Enigma drawings were made during an eight year period beginning in January 1964. Burnett writes: “the series gained instant notoriety when ten of the drawings (among which were the two in this lot) were included in the 1964 Venice Biennale. Two of the drawings were found to be offensive by a cardinal... who ordered them removed.” Harold Town was amused by this and Burnett quotes him as quipping “It’s ironic that the pictures were removed on the complaint of a cardinal. I regard censorship as a cardinal sin.”