Oil on canvas

80 × 80 cm. 31 1/2 x 31 1/2 in.

Dated, signed in English, titled in Chinese and English on the reverse

LITERATURE
2011, Yoshitomo Nara: The Complete Works, Volume 1: Paintings, Sculptures, Editions, Photographs 1984-2010, Bijutsu Publishing House, Tokyo, p. 80
PROVENANCE
Opera Gallery, New York
Important Private Collection, Europe

Note: This work is attached with a label from New York Opera Gallery on the reverse

Emerging from the Bramble and Climbing to the top of the Arts World:
Yoshitomo Nara’s Autobiographical Work, King of Cat
“Through the faces of his subjects, Nara invites us to linger, to leave our rules at the door, and enter the more fluid and uninhibited world of children.”
— Kristin Chambers, curator at the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art
Yoshitomo Nara is one of Japan’s leading contemporary artists. His brush injects his subjects — often children and animals — with a personality that leaps off the canvas. Their simultaneously mischievous and lonely expressions cause viewers to feel pity and affection for marginal communities. Nara’s works are as elegant as traditional Japanese haiku and waka (types of poems): in just a few simple details, they instantly beguile the world. Since holding his first retrospective exhibition at the Yokohama Museum of Art in 2011, Yoshitomo Nara has been invited to hold personal exhibitions at a number of important galleries both in Japan and abroad, including such places as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and the Museum of Modern Art in New York . Today, his reputation in the international arts world is at an all-time high, while his works are coveted by collectors all over the globe. The work for auction today, King of Cat, was completed in 1992. This work from the early phase of Nara’s career is noteworthy not only because of its technical mastery, but also its unique subject matter. It demonstrates Nara’s trademark fusion of elements from rock ’n’ roll and children’s fairytales and at the same time conveys his reverence of Balthasar Klossowsky, or Balthus, who was once praised by Picasso as “the most important artist of the 20th century.” While Nara is greatly inspired by Klossowsky, he rarely paid tribute to him in his works.
A Homage to one of the Greats
Born in Paris, Balthus was an auto-didactical painter who learned his craft by emulating the works of classical painting before incorporating his own personal experiences into his practice in order to forge his own unique style, which comprises elements of both Realism and Impressionism. As this sensitive and eccentric artist was particularly fond of cats, he styled himself as Le Roi des chats (The King of Cats). In Balthus paintings, cats often appear as sidekicks that express a wealth of information about the emotions and mood of the artist at the time each painting was completed.
As Balthus felt much nostalgia for his childhood, the central figures of his works were often children and teenagers. This is one of the most striking parallels between his and Nara’s work. One can imagine how Nara must have recognized himself in Balthus. By choosing a cat as the central subject matter of this painting and by naming it King of Cat, Nara is clearly paying an homage to Balthus and carrying on his legacy.
The Determination and Pride of a King
The close affinities between Yoshitomo Nara and cats can be traced back to his childhood. Nara grew up in Aomori prefecture, in the vicinity of Hokkaido; as his parents were always busy working, he spent much of his childhood on his own, listening to songs on the radio or drawing as he talked to his cat, Chako. He often imagined going on adventures with Chako, beginning at the North Pole and heading toward the South Pole.
In 1988, Nara travelled with two suitcases of cassette tapes and painting materials to Dusseldorf, Germany, where he lived as an exchange student for six years. As he had not learned a word of German prior to his arrival, he initially found himself unable to interact with others. At this point, he would often recall the lonely childhood he spent in the company of his cat. He often says of this time, “I reflected on the time that I spent talking to my cat when I was boy and recalled the way I felt at that age.” King of Cat was completed during Nara’s stay in Germany and represents a major turning point in the evolution of his artistic style. The cat in this work is depicted using thick black lines that are characteristic of this stage in his career.
The cat wears a crown that represents its status as king and has its sharp claws slightly splayed open. Although a loop of thorns pierces its paws, it nonetheless maintains a fierce demeanor, its mouth wide open as it purrs. Much like a valiant king, it is seemingly unfazed by adversity that life has thrown its way. This work may reflect how Nara felt at the beginning of his studies in Germany — or perhaps Nara created it as a way of spurring himself on. Like the subject in this painting, Nara faced solitude and setback with a sense of determination, using art as a means of seeking out new opportunities.
Nara Yoshitomo once said, “I can no longer paint the things that I don’t believe are important. Now, the backgrounds of my paintings are completely plain, drawing all focus toward small children or animals. These paintings of children and animals are in fact a form of self-portrait.” King of Cat therefore carries much autobiographical significance. Chinese-speakers may also see the title of this work as a kind of premonition, as Elvis is referred to in China as the “Cat King”. Much in the same way that Elvis was recognized as one of the greatest rock ’n’ roll singers of the 20th century, Nara has climbed to the peak of the international arts world.

Price estimate:
HKD: 2,000,000 - 3,000,000
USD: 256,400 - 384,600

Auction Result:
HKD: 3,304,000