Elmyr De Hory (1906-1976) - PAYASO

Elmyr de Hory (Budapest, 1906 – Ibiza, 1976)
CLOWN
Ink on paper.
Hand-signed in the bottom right corner.
DIN A4 format (approx. 29.7 × 21 cm).

Original work by Elmyr de Hory, one of the most famous and fascinating figures in 20th-century art history. Internationally recognized for his extraordinary ability to recreate the styles of masters such as Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani or Derain, Elmyr achieved worldwide notoriety after starring in Orson Welles’ documentary F for Fake (1973), considered one of the great cinematic reflections on authenticity and the art market.

This drawing shows a figure of elegant bearing resolved with a continuous, fluid, and extraordinarily secure line, a distinctive feature of the graphic language developed by the artist in his personal production. The economy of lines, the compositional balance, and the expressive character of the figure reveal Elmyr’s mastery as a draftsman, beyond the fame gained from his activity as a forger.

Works signed by Elmyr de Hory today enjoy growing recognition among international collectors, as they represent the authentic work of an artist whose life and work constitute one of the most singular episodes in the history of 20th-century art.

Conservation status: Very good, with slight signs of handling and aging typical of works on paper.