Bidspirit auction | Abel Pann ”Maqui” Portrait Pastel

Abel Pann ”Maqui” Portrait Pastel Drawing - Abel Pann (Latvian/Israeli, 1883-1963). Pastel on paper drawing titled ”Maqui, ” depicting a man wearing a dark fur hat with a snowy landscape visible behind. Pencil signed along the lower right and illegibly inscribed along the lower left. With a photocopy of a letter from Esther Pann, the wife of Abel Pann, attesting to the authenticity of the work. A compelling portrait by Abel Pann, depicting a bearded man in a dark fur-lined hood against a pale, wintry landscape. The work is identified in the historic provenance documentation as “Maqui, ” referring to an underground French resistance fighter. The sitter’s penetrating gaze and dark clothing are dramatically contrasted against the atmospheric, snow-covered background. Pann employs richly modeled pastel in the face while allowing the surrounding landscape to dissolve into softer passages of color, concentrating the viewer’s attention on the psychological presence of the subject. Of particular importance is the work’s direct provenance. A 1992 letter written by longtime owner Howard H. Gelb states that he purchased “Maqui” directly from Abel Pann himself, together with other works by the artist. Gelb further records that he retained the original purchase receipt associated with the painting. This direct artist-to-collector provenance significantly distinguishes the work and provides an unusually well-documented ownership history. Provenance: Abel Pann, Jerusalem; acquired directly from the artist by Howard H. Gelb; The Collection of Howard H. Gelb, St. Paul, Minnesota; Private Minnesota Collection. Documentation: Accompanied by a copy of Howard H. Gelb’s April 7, 1992 correspondence to Mayanot Gallery, Jerusalem, specifically identifying Maqui and recording its purchase directly from Abel Pann. Sight; height: 14 in x width: 14 in. Framed; height: 19 in x width: 19 in x depth: 2 in. Condition: The colors are bold and bright. There are no visible tears or losses. Dust and debris gathered along the surface of the frames. There are losses to the paper backing along the verso. Several residual paper labels affixed along the verso of the frame. Framed under plexiglass. Light wear to the frame. Not inspected out of frame.