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1950s Mysterious Modernist Abstracted Figures: Dubuffet Style Avant Garde Oil on Board Easter Island Moai Statues
Sold by Skippings Fine Arts
sold SA804680
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Skippings Fine Arts

Skippings Fine Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2018
Browse dealers 165 items
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    Modern french & continental pictures selected by a former french auction house expert
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1950s Mysterious Modernist Abstracted Figures: Dubuffet Style Avant Garde Oil on Board Easter Island Moai Statues

1940 - 1960
Sold 2 October 2025 · Skippings Fine Arts
This “1950s Mysterious Modernist Abstracted Figures: Dubuffet Style Avant Garde Oil on Board Easter Island Moai Statues” found a buyer.

It was listed by Skippings Fine Arts. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Mid Century Modernist ArtModernist Figure PaintingVintage Abstract Art Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

This interesting painting made me think of the early works by Jean Dubuffet, the French artist who eschewed traditional standards of beauty in favour of what he felt to be a more authentic and humanistic approach to image-making.

However, the work is attributed by a previous owner to the South African avant garde artist Christo Coetzee (1929 –2000). It is also titled "Easter Island Moai Statues" and dated 1954 on the verso by a later hand. It is likely that the former owners were privy to information of which the source has since been lost.

Coetzee was indeed influenced by Dubuffet, and spent the 1950s in the UK and in France, where our painting was acquired.

The artwork is painted with thick impasto on canvas, and was laid down on hardboard at a later date. Measuring 28 x 22 .5 cm, the overall framed size in a period frame is 38 x 34 cm.

Physical Dimensions
Height
38cm (14.96")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Declaration

Skippings Fine Arts has dated this Mid Century Abstract Oil Painting to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA804680
Dealers Notes

Nous parlons français, und wir sprechen auch Deutsch! Paintings may be viewed in Norwich and in Paris, as well as in London and Cambridge by appointment. Please contact us if you would like further details and images of an artwork.

Description
This interesting painting made me think of the early works by Jean Dubuffet, the French artist who eschewed traditional standards of beauty in favour of what he felt to be a more authentic and humanistic approach to image-making.
“
However, the work is attributed by a previous owner to the South African avant garde artist Christo Coetzee (1929 –2000).
Skippings Fine Arts

It is also titled "Easter Island Moai Statues" and dated 1954 on the verso by a later hand. It is likely that the former owners were privy to information of which the source has since been lost.

fig 1. An abstract mid-century oil painting on board featuring heavily textured, muted red, blue, and neutral tones depicting ambiguous figures.
fig 1. 1950s Mysterious Modernist Abstracted Figures: Dubuffet Style Avant Garde Oil on Board Easter Island Moai Statues

Coetzee was indeed influenced by Dubuffet, and spent the 1950s in the UK and in France, where our painting was acquired.

The artwork is painted with thick impasto on canvas, and was laid down on hardboard at a later date. Measuring 28 x 22 .5 cm, the overall framed size in a period frame is 38 x 34 cm.

Height
38cm (14.96")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Date of Manufacture

Skippings Fine Arts has dated this Mid Century Abstract Oil Painting to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA804680
Skippings Fine Arts
Skippings Fine Arts
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2018

Modern french & continental pictures selected by a former french auction house expert

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Skippings Fine Arts Profile Page

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An abstract mid-century oil painting on board featuring heavily textured, muted red, blue, and neutral tones depicting ambiguous figures. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 4
Archive I An abstract mid-century oil painting on board featuring heavily textured, muted red, blue, and neutral tones depicting ambiguous figures. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

1950s Mysterious Modernist Abstracted Figures: Dubuffet Style Avant Garde Oil on Board Easter Island Moai Statues

Archive II An abstract mid-century oil painting on board featuring heavily textured, muted red, blue, and neutral tones depicting ambiguous figures. View II
Archive III An abstract mid-century oil painting on board featuring heavily textured, muted red, blue, and neutral tones depicting ambiguous figures. View III
Archive IV An abstract mid-century oil painting on board featuring heavily textured, muted red, blue, and neutral tones depicting ambiguous figures. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Skippings Fine Arts

Skippings Fine Arts
Telephone 0747 257 2398
Location
Norfolk
United Kingdom

By appointment
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/skippingsfinearts
Verified Since Feb 2018
Items For Sale 165
Items Sold 688
Skippings Fine Arts
Skippings Fine Arts
Verified Since Feb 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: Norfolk, United Kingdom, , By appointment
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/skippingsfinearts
Verified
Feb 2018
For Sale
165
Sold
688
An abstract mid-century oil painting on board featuring heavily textured, muted red, blue, and neutral tones depicting ambiguous figures.
1950s Mysterious Modernist Abstracted Figures: Dubuffet style avant garde oil on board Easter Island Moai Statues
Ref: SA804680
An abstract mid-century oil painting on board featuring heavily textured, muted red, blue, and neutral tones depicting ambiguous figures.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPaintings
  • Period1940 - 1960
  • StyleMid-Century Modern
  • MaterialOil paint, Board, Mixed media
  • ColourRed
  • MotifsHeavy impasto, Abstracted figures, Tactile surface, Earthy palette
  • SizeH 38 cm (15 in) x W 22 cm (9 in) x D 1 cm (0 in)

FAQs

Mid-century modernist painting is characterised by a departure from strict realism, focusing instead on abstraction, expressive brushwork, and unconventional textures to convey psychological or emotional depth.

Artists during this period frequently utilised oil or mixed media applied to hardboard, canvas, or card, often incorporating heavy impasto and sand or other tactile additives to build surface relief.

Authentication relies on examining the ageing of the pigment and support, checking for period-correct framing materials, identifying artist signatures or gallery stamps, and verifying provenance through documentation.

Position the artwork on a neutral wall to let the heavy textures stand out, and pair it with minimalist furnishings and deliberate lighting to create a sophisticated focal point.

Keep the artwork away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity levels, avoid touching the textured paint surface, and consult a professional conservator for cleaning or stabilization.
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