|  | Self-Portrait
c.1921
| Otto Müller
German, 1874–1930
| tempera on canvas
| 26 x 18 7/8 in. (66 x 47.9 cm)
| Bequest of Morton D. May
| Accession Number: 917:1983
| This object is part of the Saint Louis Art Museum's
European Provenance Disclosure Project.
Signed:
l.r., in black paint: O M
| Provenance:
Otto Müller (1874-1930)
by 1931 - still in 1938
Eugen Buchthal (1878-1954), Berlin, Germany, purchased from the artist [1]
c.1939 - c.1942
Dr. Adolf Blumenthal (b.1882), New York, NY, USA [2]
- 1950
Buchholz Gallery (Curt Valentin), New York, purchased from Adolf Blumenthal [3]
1950 - 1983
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Buchholz Gallery [4]
1983 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, bequest of Morton D. May [5]
Notes:
[1] Eugen Buchthal acquired the painting directly from the artist, Otto Müller [undated letter from Müller to Buchthal in possession of the Buchthal family, copy, SLAM document files]. In 1931, Buchthal lent the painting to a memorial exhibition of Otto Müller at the Berliner Nationalgalerie, where it was displayed in the staircase of the Kronprinzenpalais ["Otto Mueller. Gedenk-Ausstellung." Berlin: National-Galerie, 1931, cat. no. 36]. According to Florian Karsch of the Galerie Nierendorf, this painting was one of several paintings and graphic works that Eugen Buchthal consigned to the Galerie Nierendorf in Berlin; the self-portrait, however, did not sell and was returned to Buchthal on May 4, 1938. Eugen Buchthal emigrated to London that same year [notes of telephone conversation between Florian Karsch of the Galerie Nierendorf and SLAM provenance researcher Anabelle Kienle, March 17, 2005; copy of page from Galerie Nierendorf record book, SLAM document files; "Biographisches Handbuch der deutschsprachigen Emigration." 1933, v.1].
[2] According to a letter from the Estate of Curt Valentin, Valentin's records indicate that the painting was purchased by Buchholz Gallery (Curt Valentin) from Dr. Adolf Blumenthal of 276 Riverside Drive, New York, and sold to Morton D. May [letter dated July 8, 1968, SLAM document files]. Due to Nazi-persecution, Dr. Blumenthal, a Berlin ear, nose and throat specialist, moved to the United States in 1939, and took up residence that year at 276 Riverside Drive in New York [Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigrant Inspector at Port of Arrival, S.S. Ile de France, Passengers sailing from Southampton, England, September 3rd, 1939, National Archives, Washington, D.C., microfilm T-715, roll 6396, p. 58]. According to an obituary of Adolf Blumenthal's daughter, Gerda, the Blumenthal's left Germany for Russia; they eventually made their way to the Latvian port city of Riga, then moved to the United States in 1939 via England, and settled in New York ["Gerda R. Blumenthal, 80, Dies; Taught French, Literature at CU." "Washington Post," (April 24, 2004): p. B06]. The New York address directory from 1940-1941 lists Blumenthal at 276 Riverside Drive, the same address noted in Valentin's records. In 1942, Blumenthal was no longer listed at that address, and by 1945 Blumenthal had moved up the street to 300 Riverside Drive [Address Directories, New York City, New York, 1940-1950, copies, SLAM document files]. Therefore, Dr. Blumenthal must have sold the picture to Buchholz Gallery between 1939 and 1942, when Blumenthal was residing at 276 Riverside Drive.
[3] See note [2].
[4] Invoice from Buchholz Gallery dated July 5, 1950 [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum]
[5] Last Will and Testament of M. D. May dated June 11, 1982 [copy, May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, September 20, 1983. |
Alternate Title(s):
Selbstbildnis
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