Untitled (Eggshells)
Photograph / Documentary Print • Maria Bartuszová (Slovak, 1936–1996)
Style & Movement
Informel / Bio-morphism / Minimalist Organicism
Medium & Technique
Black and white silver gelatin print or offset lithograph; documenting a plaster sculpture cast from balloons to mimic eggshell organicism.
Creation Period
circa 1980-1985
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 20 cm; square format print matted on secondary support.
Subject Description
The image depicts a cluster of broken, ovoid white shapes resembling eggshells. These are plaster casts created using the artist's signature 'pneumatic' technique, where plaster is poured over inflated balloons, exploring themes of fragility, birth, and cyclical destruction.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (as a documentary print), though the image shows signs of handling and adhesive tape.
Estimated Market Value
$2,000 - $5,000 USD (for a vintage authorized print)
Auction Estimate
$1,500 - $3,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely from the artist's estate or a private collection specializing in Eastern European neo-constructivism; visible adhesive tape suggests it was used in a working studio or exhibition planning context.
Art Historical Significance
Bartuszová is a major figure in 20th-century Eastern European sculpture. This series represents her shift toward 'destructuralized' forms, where white plaster symbolizes purity and the transient nature of life, later gaining significant recognition at exhibitions like Documenta 12 and Tate Modern.
Notable Features
The piece demonstrates the 'pneumatic' casting method that allowed Bartuszová to achieve thin, eggshell-like walls, contrasting the weight of traditional sculpture with the lightness of air.
Condition Issues
Visible vertical surface tape at the top and bottom edge; slight silver mirroring or fading typical of older prints; possible minor handling creases.
Conservation Recommendations
Removal of non-archival pressure-sensitive tape by a paper conservator; mount with archival hinges in a UV-protected frame; maintain low-humidity environment.
Collector Notes
Maria Bartuszova