Provenance

With Ladislas Szecsi (1904-1988), Paris, by 1937; with Stendahl Art Galleries, Los Angeles, by 1937; sold to Louise and Walter C. Arensberg, Los Angeles, by July 1937 [1]; gift to PMA, 1950. 1. The painting is given the title "Cuiller" and the number 46 in an undated inventory of paintings sent by Ladislas Szecsi (also spelled "Segy") on consignment to Stendahl Galleries. In a letter from Earl Stendahl to Szecsi of July 22, 1937 (Stendahl Galleries papers, Archives of American Art), Stendahl writes that he has sold two paintings, Dali #46 and Tanguy #161 to a client, who must be the Arensbergs (for the Tanguy see 1950-134-188, "The Parallels"). The reverse of "Agnostic Symbol" is labeled with the number 46, as well as Szecsi's stamp, confirming its identification with the painting from Szecsi cited above. According to a reference in the Chicago Daily News, March 31, 1941, the painting was exhibited at the Chester H. Johnson Galleries in Chicago in the early 1930's (prior to 1934, when Johnson died and the gallery closed).