(Vienna 1933-1997)
“Leherb Genial”, signed, dated Leherb 64 and with inscription on the reverse: Leherb Paris 1964, oil on canvas, 55.4 x 46.3 cm, on a stretcher, (K)

Provenance:
Galleria Viotti Torino (label on the reverse with a description of the painting and stamp);
Private Ownership, Italy

In 1964 Leherb, with his Time Destruction Manifesto, was nominated for the Biennale in Venice, yet his participation was prevented by the government reshuffling of the new minister of education, Theodor Piffl-Percevic. What had been planned was a dark blue pavilion, in which dead doves, umbrellas and dolls would be attached to the walls. An art scandal loomed, which the tone-setting art journal in Paris, “Arts et Loisirs”, entitled “The first scandal of the Biennale in Venice!”. The German magazine “Stern” featured the scandal on the front page: “Surrealist Leherb: No white mice for Venice” ... see Wikipedia

Honours
Gold Medal of the Triennale in Manur, Belgium 1966;
Gold Medal of the Biennale Internazionale della Grafica, Florence 1968;
Grand Prix of the Fondation Internationale des Collectionneurs d’Art, Paris 1969;
Lauréat du Livre d’Or des Valeurs Humaines, Paris 1970;
Ambrogino d’Oro del Senato d’Arte, Milan 1972;
Elefante d’Oro e Gran Premio, Rome-Catania 1972;
Österreichisches Ehrenkreuz für Wissenschaft und Kunst 1. Klasse, Vienna 1974;
Cavaliere Ufficiale nell'Ordine al merito della Repubblica Italiana, Rome 1990;
Tribuno del Tribunato di Romagna, Ravenna 1992;
Goldenes Ehrenzeichen "pro merito" am Bande des Kuratoriums der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Vienna 1992;
Honorary Member of the Accademia Fiorentina delle Belli Arti e Disegno, since 1967
cf: Wikipedia