Jules Heinrich Bissier (German/Swiss, 1893-1965) egg tempera and oil on primed cotton canvas laid to linen board abstract composition in blue, purple, brown, and black resembling a tabletop still life with a bottle. Inscribed "A 12. Nov. 62. p" and signed "Jules Bissier," upper right. Canvas: 8 1/4" H x 11 5/8" W. Board: 18 7/8" H x 20 7/16" W. Note: Photocopies of relevant pages from a 1980 institutional publication with provenance history are included in the image sequence. Biographical note: Julius Bissier's early paintings were strongly influenced by so-called "primitive" German painters, but in 1923 he began working in a realist style aligned with the Neue Sachlichkeit. From 1929 to 1934 he taught at the University of Freiburg, during which time his work became increasingly abstract. This was perhaps a result of a visit to Constantin Brancusi's studio in Paris, as well as his friendship with Willi Baumeister, who introduced him to works by Georges Braque, Paul Klee, Fernand Leger, and Pablo Picasso, among others. In 1955 he began a series of miniatures in tempera and watercolor. In 1959 the Gemeentemuseum in the Hague presented a retrospective exhibition of Bissier’s work. That same year, and in 1964, he took part in Documenta Kassel, and in 1960 he participated in the Venice Biennale. The following year, Bissier was awarded the Tenth Anniversary Award at the Sao Paolo Bienal. Numerous international exhibitions and awards followed, including the Bundesverdienstkreuz in 1964. (Adapted from The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation) . 

PROVENANCE: Deaccessioned by a Southern institution to benefit the acquisitions fund; Acquired from Lefebre Gallery, New York City, 1969. 

Overall very good condition. Canvas is affixed to linen board. Left and right edges are not affixed. Backing board with liquid staining to lower left and lower center edge.