Willem de Kooning

Updated October 27, 2026

Title: Abstract Composition with Red, Blue, and Black Gestural Forms Technique: Gouache on paper Measures: 17 x 13 inches (43.2 x 33.0 cm) Year: Undated Condition: Appears in good overall condition, with vibrant coloration, expressive brushwork, and clearly defined gestural elements. The painted surface displays variations in pigment density, layered color applications, and visible brush textures throughout the composition. Minor surface irregularities, light handling marks, and age-related imperfections may be present. Presented in a wide black frame with metallic silver-toned inner detailing, showing minor signs of surface wear. Not examined out of the frame. Condition is described from the photographs supplied. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description. Provenance: Transferred privately from the private collection of the Lima family in Rio de Janeiro to the private collection of the Barbosa family in Salvador. Visual Description: A dynamic abstract composition presents an energetic arrangement of sweeping black gestures, fragmented geometric forms, and overlapping passages of saturated color. Bold strokes of crimson red, cobalt blue, white, turquoise, and golden yellow dominate the surface, interspersed with softer areas of pale pink, green, orange, and muted beige. Thick, angular black lines traverse the composition in multiple directions, creating intersecting structures that contrast with the more fluid and spontaneous application of surrounding colors. Several broad curved gestures extend diagonally across the canvas, establishing a sense of movement and tension between the fragmented forms. The central section combines layered blue and white passages with sharp black contours, while the lower portion introduces warmer ochre and red tones that visually anchor the composition. Areas of exposed or lightly covered ground interact with dense applications of pigment, producing variations in texture, transparency, and visual depth. The absence of a conventional focal point encourages the viewer's eye to move continuously across the surface, following the intersecting lines and contrasting color fields. The expressive brushwork, spontaneous mark-making, and interplay between gestural abstraction and loosely structured forms evoke the visual language of Abstract Expressionism and mid-twentieth-century action painting. The lower right bears a painted inscription reading "de Kooning." This composition reflects stylistic elements commonly associated with major figures in modern and contemporary art. For additional information regarding certification, provenance, or any inquiries about this piece or other items, please don't hesitate to contact us through the HiBid platform. A secondary market exists for uncatalogued artworks like this one, which often results in lower estimated and sale prices compared to catalogued artist works. If you have any specific questions or require further assi

More lots in this auction

• Winston Churchill
• Georges Seurat
• Jackson Pollock
• Claude Monet
• Andy Warhol
• Frida Kahlo
• Joan Miró
• Mark Rothko

See all lots in Fine Art Event No Reserve/Everything Must Sell →