93

Elaine Fried de Kooning

(1918-1989)

Untitled, (Cave).

Bronze with green patina.
Incised with signature. This is unnumbered and from an edition of 13 posthumous castings.
15 x 12 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (38.1 x 32.4 x 3.8 cm.)

  • Provenance:
    Conrad Fried (1920-2009), Elaine de Kooning's brother, Sullivan County, New York.
    Acquired directly from the above, private collection, Sullivan County, New York.

    This bronze relief was designed by de Kooning (1918-1989) toward the end of her long, illustrious career as an artist; there is another cast of the bronze on the artist's gravestone at the Green River Cemetery, East Hampton, New York. The bronze was cast posthumously, in an edition of thirteen, under the direction of Conrad Fried, from a wax model in the artist's studio.

    The Cave subject is one of Elaine de Kooning's most cherished series. Inspired by homo sapien cave paintings such as those at Lascaux, de Kooning depicted bison, horses, and deer as are all represented in this bronze relieve. This sculpture was realized in twelve bronze castings. Most of these were gifted to family members and one is mounted on Elaine Fried de Kooning's tombstone.
  • Condition:
    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

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December 18, 2025 12:00 PM EST
New York, NY, US

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