Melle Oldeboerrigter

Lot description

Melle Oldeboerrigter (1908-1976) Landschap met witte kip - blauw meisje (Landscape with White Chicken - Blue girl) (cat.no. 113) (1954) Signed and dated '54 lower right Oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm Provenance: - Private collection, the Netherlands, acquired directly from the artist - Acquired from the above by the present owner Exhibited: - Rijksmuseum Twenthe, Enschede, Melle, 15 June - 28 July 1968 - Museum Arrnhem, De schepping van Melle, 25 October 2008 - 19 February 2009 - Museum Van Bommel van Dam, Venlo, Melle, schilder van een andere werkelijkheid, 16 September 2022 - 28 February 2023 Note: Melle, a prominent Dutch artist, emerged onto the mid-20th-century art scene as a provocative and controversial figure. Born in 1908 as Melle Oldeboerrigter, he gained recognition for his distinctive contributions to post-war painting. Melle's work was marked by a daring exploration of sexuality, evident in his explicit depictions of genitalia that stirred both admiration and controversy. His artistic journey unfolded against the backdrop of societal shifts, with Melle becoming a key figure in the post-war Dutch art landscape, challenging norms and sparking discussions around the intersection of art, censorship, and human nature. The two paintings on offer by Melle in this sale, lot 478 & 479, both created in 1954-1955, hold a significant place in his oeuvre from an art historical perspective, as they became the subject of controversy caused by the influential director of the Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum, Willem Sandberg. The foundation 'Artists Commemorate May 5th' organized an exhibition of the same name at the Stedelijk Museum from May 5 to May 31, 1955. A committee, of which Sandberg himself was part, invited numerous artists, including Melle, to participate. Melle submitted three works, including this painting 'Landschap met witte kip - blauw meisje' (Landscape with White Chicken - Blue girl) and 'Peter de Grote’ , the latter now owned by the Museum Arnhem. Nine days before the opening, Sandberg informed Melle that these works could not be exhibited because they were deemed unsuitable for children to see. This sparked considerable protest, leading Sandberg to call Melle a few days later, requesting him to submit alternative works. It is known that Melle complied with this request. Due to his low production in 1954-55, very few works qualify, and the following lot 479, 'Blauw interieur - Kennemerland' (Blue Interior - Kennemerland), must have been one of them. The committee might have found this work “unsuitable for children” as well, as Melle's name does not appear in the exhibition catalogue. After this unpleasant affair for Melle, it was noted that the number of genitalia in his work increased explosively, particularly phalluses. While Melle never provided commentary on his work, it is plausible that this increase was fuelled by his anger over the humiliation inflicted upon him by this experience. Second photo: The letter Melle received in 1955 from the Stedelijk Museum * Please note: condition reports and additional photos are available upon request. For more information please visit our website: www.aagauctioneers.com