Niki de Saint Phalle* (1930 - 2002)
Shot picture 'Tir' from the MAT edition, 1964

Plaster, paint, and plastic on plywood, in a frame. H. 72 x 54 x 7 cm. Inscribed and dated on a Fox Gallery, New York, label on the reverse: Niki de Saint Phalle. Shot it yourself 1964. Plaster and Paint (black felt-tip pen). One of 100 unique copies.

Niki de Saint Phalle's so-called 'shot paintings' mark a radical and liberating turning point in 1960s art. Created between 1961 and 1963, these works uniquely combine painting, performance, and action. The artist shot at relief-like supports containing paint-filled bags, plaster, and everyday materials with a rifle. The bullet holes caused the paint capsules to burst, the paint running across the surface and transforming the act of destruction into a creative moment. The 'Tirs' (French for 'shots') are an expression of a powerful protest against social conventions, patriarchal structures, and the traditional boundaries of art. They address aggression, control, and chance—transforming these themes into visual energy. Today, the shot paintings are considered key works of performative and process-oriented art and testify to Niki de Saint Phalle's uncompromising artistic stance.

Provenance: Galerie Der Spiegel (MAT), Cologne; The Fox Gallery, New York; Christie's POST WAR & CONTEMPORARY ART, June 24, 2005, Lot 119; German private collection.

A "shooting picture" (French: "Tir") is an object assemblage by Niki de Saint Phalle, covered with a layer of white plaster and filled with paint-filled bags and spray cans. The artist shot at the works, causing the paint to explode and splatter across the objects. These works continue to fascinate with their radicalism and openness to interpretation. They are often interpreted as outlets for aggression or as a rebellion against patriarchal gender roles.

Reserve price: 6,000 €