The Chess Players (1945)
WILLI SOUKOP RA (1907-1995)
Watercolour and pencil; signed with initials and dated 'W.S 1941'
In handmade plum wood French polished frame
POA
A Sculptor in stone, wood, metal and clay, Willi Soukop was born in Vienna in 1907. While studying at the Academy of Fine Art in the city, he managed to escape Nazi Austria – being invited, after a chance meeting with her by Dorothy Elmhirst to come and live and work at her home Dartington Hall near Totnes in Devon. Many creative European exiles came to Dartington, such as the entire Jooss Ballet from Germany, Michael Chekhov and his drama school, and Bernard Leach and his son David, the celebrated potter, with whom Soukop formed a lasting friendship. Soukop first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1934 and became a full member in 1969.
Soukop’s work has been offered at auction multiple times, the record price being 15,807 USD for Boy sold at Sotheby’s in 2011.
If you would like to buy this picture (or see some more photographs), arrange a viewing or if you would just like to get in touch, then please call 01608-658003 or email [email protected]