MANOUCHER YEKTAI 1921-2019 IRANIAN-AMERICAN PASTEL ON PAPER STILL LIFE. Manoucher Yektai Untitled Pomegranates 1976. Pastel drawing on paper. Size 35cm by 50 cm. Signed dated lower left. Manoucher Yektai was born in 1921 in Tehran, Iran, where he lived until his move to Paris in 1945. Between the years of 1945-47 the artist moved to Paris to study Fine Art at the Ãâ€Â°cole des Beaux-Arts and at the Atelier of André Lhote, before relocating to New York in 1948, where he continued his studies at the Art Students League of New York. Here he was exposed to the Abstract Expressionist style that was practiced by established artists Willem de Kooning, Sam Francis and Jackson Pollock.In 1951 and 1952 the Italian-American art dealer, Leo Castelli, introduced some friends, including a number of early Abstract-Expressionist painters, to Yektai's shows in New York. Castelli took the artist to the 8th Street Club in 1951 which led to friendships with Rothko, Tobey, and Guston among others. Yektaiâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢s exposure and profile continued to rise, and by the mid-1950s he was invited to exhibit at the Stable Gallery for a group show which included the likes of DeKooning, Newman, Pollock and Kline. Between the years of 1957-65 the artist continued to exhibit his works, notably at Poindexter, all of which would contribute to his later recognition as an influential member of the New York School.Whilst critics such as Greenberg and Rosenberg characterized the spirituality of the Abstract Expressionist group as encompassing the â€Ã…“abstract sublime” (Barbara Rose, ed., Readings in American Art, 1900-1975, New York: Praeger, 1975, p. 134), Yektai's work can be seen to reflect a different philosophy. The abstract tyranny that attracted what Rosenberg labelled the theological branch of Abstract-Expressionism, did not appeal to the artist. Instead he combined a natural approach with a proclamation of beauty and an acknowledgment to painting-of-everyday-life. Interestingly, Yektai never viewed himself as an Abstract Expressionist, but when Castelli brought a group of his painters to the Borgenicht show in 1951, both the critics and these painters stated their belief that "Yektai is in the Abstract Expressionist school, not as an undergraduate, but as a member of the faculty.” (5VH.,Arts vol. 32, December 1957, p. 49). Despite their comments, Yektaiâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢s affinity with figuration simply highlighted a philosophical difference with other practitioners of this group, since he liked to maintain sentiment and feeling within his forms. His work was later regarded as being "only superficially similar" (Ashbery, "Manoucher Yektai," p. 24) to Abstract Expressionism, to which the artist commented in agreement â€Ã…“I must be some kind of Action Painter”.Shipping cost incluing pack ange deliver to US address 50 USD and International 150 USD. We can arrange door-to-door delivery to most east coast address and provide to check perior to pay.Please read our policy carefully:1. We do not have additional images, all images listed here, and all bidders see the same. 2. No PayPal and Credit Card accepted. 3. We arrange in-house packing and delivery. Shipping cost is listed. No bargain or discount for it. Delivery and US shipping will keep frame, international shipping will remove the frame except buyer pay for shipping cost. 4. We provide in-site pickup and third-party shipper delivery but need payment clear first. 5. Return policy.We only refund hammer price with no exception. Return must be done in two weeks after artworks received. 6. We are open for per-sale and post-sale offer, if offer accept, we will help to complete per-sale and post-sale purchase transaction, same policy as regular purchase. If you do not like our policy, please simply do not bid with us. Thank you.