Sohrab Sepehri — Untitled (from the Tree Trunk Series)
Details
Signed lower right with the artist’s calligraphic monogram.
Sizes:
Artwork: 80 × 80 cm | 31.5 × 31.5 in
This powerful and meditative oil on canvas is an exemplary work from the most celebrated period of Sohrab Sepehri’s (1928–1980) career. A pioneer of Iranian modern art and a renowned poet, Sepehri’s “Tree Trunk” series represents a profound intersection between Persian mysticism, Zen philosophy, and Western abstraction. In this composition, the artist eschews the traditional landscape to focus exclusively on the raw, monumental presence of thick trunks. The rhythmic verticality of the trees is rendered with a textured, impasto technique, using a palette of earthy umbers, charcoals, and soft greys that evoke a sense of ancient, silent strength.
The work features the artist’s distinctive signature in the lower right corner, executed in a minimalist, calligraphic style that integrates seamlessly with the painting’s tactile surface. Sepehri’s approach to nature was not one of representation, but of spiritual essence; by isolating the trunks, he invites the viewer into a space of quiet contemplation. This series remains his most iconic and internationally recognized body of work, with similar examples held in major institutions like the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Provenance
Private collection, Paris, France.
Acquired from the above by the current owner.
Condition Report
Good vintage condition; the colors remain rich and the surface is stable with well-preserved textures. The work remains on what appears to be the original wooden stretcher, though the canvas has been restretched for improved tension and preservation. Minor surface dirt is present, consistent with age.
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Sohrab Sepehri
Sohrab Sepehri was a prominent Iranian poet and painter whose work bridged the gap between traditional Persian mysticism and modern artistic expression. Born in Kashan, he studied at the Fine Arts Academy in Tehran and later traveled extensively, drawing inspiration from European modernism and Japanese art. His minimalist yet deeply evocative paintings often feature simplified landscapes and muted, earthy tones that reflect a profound sense of solitude, silence, and spiritual contemplation.
As one of Iran’s most celebrated modern artists, Sepehri’s oeuvre holds a unique place in the history of Middle Eastern abstraction. His visual language, characterized by a quiet poetic grace and a harmonious blending of nature and philosophy, continues to captivate collectors and museums worldwide.
