NIKLAUS STOECKLIN (1896-1982) "CUMULUS." 1930. Gouache maquette. 49 7/8x35 5/8 inches. Condition B+: pinholes, small tears and minor losses in margins and corners; distress to paint; tape on verso. Paper. In the world of difficult artistic commissions, this product might top the list: an industrial, electric crock in which to cook (or perhaps smoke) your meat! Stoecklin adapts a simple, naive approach in which a very successful farmer (his pig is so fat!) is gesturing at both animal and machine, which Stoecklin indicates can be plugged in quite easily. Artistically the image is completely opposite from the new realism that Stoecklin championed later in his career. This is the maquette for the German version. Stoecklin 48 (var).
