Lot 422

KARL PRIEBE (1914-1976) MAGIC REALIST GOUACHE ON PAPER

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KARL PRIEBE (1914-1976) MAGIC REALIST GOUACHE ON PAPER

Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000

Current Bid: $1,500

(1 Bid)

by Soulis Auctions
June 28, 2026 12:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
529 West Lone Jack-Lee’s Summit Rd
Lone Jack, MO, US 64070

Karl Priebe (1914-1976)

Untitled (Uncanny Marionette)

Mid 20th Century

The gouache and watercolor painting on colored paper depicts a disquietingly lifelike marionette accompanied by an equally uncanny bird holding a marionette finger in its beak. The work is signed lower left.

Karl Priebe was a leading figure in American Magic Realism. He was born in Milwaukee and trained at the Layton School of Art as well as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Working primarily in watercolor and gouache, he produced vividly detailed works that shimmer with color as he depicts symbolic figures, cultural motifs, birds and performers blending the precision of Magic Realism with a flair for the surreal as seen here. Many images fused theatrical elegance with psychological depth and statement. His work was exhibited at major institutions including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Whitney. He later taught at Western Michigan University.

Sight size measures 15.5 x 11.5 with a framed size of 25 x 21 inches.

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  • Dimensions: Sight size measures 15.5 x 11.5 with a framed size of 25 x 21 inches.
  • Medium: Gouache
  • Circa: Mid 20th Century
  • Condition: Very good original untouched condition. There are no issues of major scratches, losses, repairs, in-painting or touch-up.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $99,999 $2,000
$100,000 + $10,000