SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
Wifredo Lam’s painting brings together Cubist forms and Surrealist ideas with a long-standing interest in the symbolism of Cuban Santería, a religion combining elements of Catholicism and West African Yoruba. Born on Cuba’s north coast, he begins studying painting in Havana as a teenager, then continues his training in Spain, where he lives for nearly fifteen years. In 1938, during the Spanish Civil War, he leaves for Paris.
On his arrival, he seeks out Pablo Picasso; the two artists begin meeting almost daily. Through Picasso, Lam also establishes connections with Fernand Léger, Georges Braque and members of the Surrealist group, including Joan Miró and André Masson. Back in Havana, he resumes his explorations of Cubist forms and Surrealist ideas, combining them with his interest in Santería. During his early years on the island, this exploration takes shape, among other forms, in jungle landscapes, such as Study for “The Jungle” (1942). This work is recorded in the Lindy and Edwin Bergman Collection. Caos-caos is dated to around 1950.
This profile brings together identity references for Wifredo Lam and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
17 references are documented at Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer, Germann, Piguet, Dobiaschofsky. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.
Oil on canvas
Ohne Titel, 1973
huile sur toile
Catalogue period : 2026-06-24
Published result : 38108 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 30000–40000
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Tempera on paper on canvas
Sans titre, um 1947
Tempera auf Papier auf Leinwand
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 284699 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 50000–70000
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Pastel and chalk on paper
Sans titre, 1978
Pastell und Kreide auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 32183 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 6000–8000
View the lot at the auction house ↗
Pastel and chalk on paper
Sans titre (Femme au chapeau), 1978
Pastell und Kreide auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 22281 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 6000–8000
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Oil on paper
Sans titre, 1942
Öl auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 111404 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 20000–30000
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Pastel and charcoal on paper
Femme au chapeau, 1978
Pastell und Kohle auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 37135 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 6000–8000
View the lot at the auction house ↗
Pastel and charcoal on paper
Sans titre, 1978
Pastell und Kohle auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 44562 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 6000–8000
View the lot at the auction house ↗
Pastel and charcoal on paper
Sans titre, 1977
Pastell und Kohle auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 32183 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 12000–16000
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Pastel and charcoal on paper
Sans titre, 1976
Pastell und Kohle auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 42086 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 6000–8000
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Pastel and charcoal on paper
Deux personnes, 1978
Pastell und Kohle auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 33421 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 3000–4000
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Pastel and charcoal on paper
Sans titre, 1978
Pastell und Kohle auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2024-06-19
Published result : 44562 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 3000–4000
View the lot at the auction house ↗
Pastel on paper
Zwei Figuren, 1977
Pastellkreide auf Papier.
Catalogue period : 2016-10-07
Published result : 8500 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 6000–8000
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Oil on canvas
Jeune fille sur fond vert, 1939
Öl auf Leinwand.
Date to be documented
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
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Pencil and oil on canvas
Sans titre, ca. 1960
Bleistift und Öl auf Leinwand.
Date to be documented
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
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Oil on canvas
Composizione, 1972
Öl auf Leinwand.
Date to be documented
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
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Charcoal
Sans titre
fusain
Catalogue period : 2023-06-07
Published result : 26000 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 18000–22000
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Ink and watercolour
Toreaux
Encre et aquarelle
Date to be documented
Published result : 1400 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 1200
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Documentation updated : 2026-10-19
