Wednesday 10 December 2025

Lot 88

Jean Hélion, French 1904-1987 - Untitled (Figures reading newspapers), 1952; charcoal on paper,...

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Lot 88

Jean Hélion,
French 1904-1987 - 
Untitled (Figures reading newspapers), 1952; 
charcoal on paper,...

Price Realised: £1,050

Estimate: £800 - £1,200

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Price realised is hammer price plus fees (31.2% Buyers Premium inclusive of VAT).

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Lot 88

Description

Jean Hélion,
French 1904-1987 - 

Untitled (Figures reading newspapers), 1952; 

charcoal on paper, signed with initial and dated lower right 'H. 52', 42 x 29.6 cm (ARR) 

Provenance: 
Professor Joseph Rykwert CBE (1926-2018) and thence by descent 

Note: 
with 'Victoria and Albert Museum Circulation Collections' label attached to the reverse of the frame, with various dated stamps from the 1920s and 30s. The non-defunct Circulations Department (1909 –1978) organised UK touring exhibitions and was the first V&A department responsible for collecting 20th-century design. 

Hélion was a pioneering figure in Interwar Europe, developing alongside Mondrian a language of pure abstraction, which he would promote through his prolific writings of the period. From 1949, however, Hélion abandoned abstraction, returning to a figurative style, influenced by the work of Fernand Léger. In the present work from the 1950s, Hélion is working in a more expressive style through his use of charcoal, a sense of space urgently expressed through the use of simple lines. 

Professor Rykwert was a close friend of the artist. 

Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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