Lot 160 email save

Adolf Wolfli. The Lion and the Masked Man.

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Graphite, pastel, and colored pencil on paper. Signed. Strong central lion figure surrounded by many masked men. Intricate border design with rope and gristmill design frames piece. Wild array of text woven throughout the piece and the back is covered in artist's gorgeous writing. Archival framed to display either side. Image measures 19.5" w x 12.5" h. Frame is 26.5" w x 20"h. Incredibly strong and unique piece in excellent condition. Est. $30,000-35,000. Ship: $150 (includes strong box and air shipping). Adolf Wolfli, (1864-1930) was born in Bern, Switzerland. His father was an alcoholic who abandoned the family. At a very young age, Adolf's mother died, leaving him an orphan. He lived with a series of farm families and his mental health deteriorated. Around 1895, he was declared a schizophrenic and a danger to society and was commited to a mental health facility. In 1897, he began having vivid hallucinations and shortly thereafter he began drawing. Wolfli had violet outbursts at the facility and was housed in almost complete isolation until his death in 1930. A Slotin Auction Favorite!

Excellent condition.

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