Baldur Helgason

Menippean Satire

€1,700

Artwork

Edition of 5064.0 (H) × 54.0 (W) cm

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A humorous reflection of the ambient anxiety of modern life by Baldur Helgason.

Highlighting the unfulfilled need for connection in society, Helgason is known for caricatures which seem playful at first, yet are subversive, emotive and discomforting.

Menippean Satire, as its title suggests, considers pervasive attitudes rather than a specific individual or group. The work's crazed but smiling subject fits right in amongst Helgason's oeuvre of delirious cartoons. To create the edition, the artist drew by hand onto a soft ground copper etching plate. Once complete, the plate was inked and used to print the edition one by one.

Behind the scenes

Baldur Helgason2 collaborationsModern life is comical and unsettling. Just like caricatures by Baldur Helgason. Often, they’re in the style of cartoons from the 1950s – like Betty Boop and Mickey Mouse. The figures are clown-like, grappling with tricky spaces, smoking, or painting. On the surface, the oil paintings are playful. But they deliberately confront the ambient anxiety of society. Helgason starts with a “blank canvas and puts down a layer of Burnt Umber.” Then, he layers pigments of bright vivid colours over it. His artistic inspiration comes from “the Masters style of painting skin tones. Like Rembrandt or Sargent.” Like Helgason, their portraits reflected on society in the 17th-century and Edwardian-era.

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Reviews from Avant collectors

From start to finish, the process of purchasing, claiming the NFT counterpart, and receiving the framed piece was nothing short of excellent. My entire experience with Avant Arte displayed a level of professionalism and excellence across the board. Well done!
Review of Ringers #962: The LACMA Iterations
WellWellDone. looking forward to your further offerings i may support.
Review of Actual Size
Very happy with the print, shipping, and framing.
Review of HOPE (251-375)
Since it was from overseas, I was worried about whether the product would arrive without damage, but it was carefully packaged and arrived without any damage. Thank you very much. And I am satisfied with the work.
Review of Sacred Connectedness
Congratulations for the perfect service!
Review of Out of the Dark
I was lucky enough to have been invited to see the creation of this piece of work back in June and met the fantastic Miwa so seeing this print now is just fantastic. The colours are every bit as vibrant as the original.
Review of Sacred Connectedness
amazing piece. love the frame and unbox experience
Review of Chromie Squiggle #8107
Love, love, love this piece of amazing work...from the craftmanship, brilliance of the colors, to the title it is fire! My new fave...among many other favorites! The treatment my framer gave it is delicious and aww inspiring...thanks Avant Arte!
Review of In Search For Light

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