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After the auctions held in New York, Hong Kong, Paris and Amsterdam, the appointment with contemporary art is on 30th June in London’s Christie’s King Street venue. “Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale” is anticipated as an interesting appointment for art lovers and will be an excellent occasion to know the state of the contemporary sector, which in the last year has suffered, compared to the previous years, due to the negative effects of the market crisis.
“Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale” has been directed for the first time by Francis Outred, new “purchase” in Christie’s team, who for the circumstance stated: “For my first auction at Christie’s, I am glad to announce that there will be a pre-sale exhibition in the marvellous newly-refurbished venue in King Street – adding – the recent international auctions of Post-War and Contemporary Art have proven that there is still a strong demand for works of art of this category, and in particular for the rare and exceptional examples that are still new on the market”.
Despite a contained number of lots to be auctioned off, only 40, the auction will be challenging thanks to the proposal of works of great artistic value. Exceptional works realised by important names in the history of contemporary art like Yves Klein, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Peter Doig, Lucio Fontana, Damien Hirst, Cy Twombly and many others. A relevant auction which according to the experts’ expectations could total about 20 million pounds.
The top lot will be number 11: 1025 Farben (1025 Colours) by Gerhard Ritcher presented with an estimate between 1,300,000 and 2,000,000 pounds, which comes from the Konrad Fischer Gallery of Dusseldorf. A laquer on canvas executed by the German artist in 1974 where we can observe an extraordinary concentration of deep colours and a skilful graphical ability.
A significant valuation has been given also to Night Playground by Peter Doig, painting which appears for the first time at auction and will be offered for an estimate between 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 pounds. An extraordinary work which shows a detail of urban life. The night falls softly upon the city and the light creates a contrast which highlights even more the opposition between the natural world and the one built by men.
Interesting also the work Country Nurse realised in 2003 by Richard Prince which portrays a nurse emerging from the pigment. The beautiful canvas, which shows the American artist’s typical poetics, comes from an important European Foundation and will be auctioned at Christie’s with the estimate of 1,500,000-2,000,000 pounds.
Unmissable Moustache by Jeff Koons from 2003, bought by its current owner at the prestigious Sonnabend Gallery in New York and now put up for auction with a valuation of 1,200,000 – 1,800,000 pounds. An entertaining work belonging to the Popeye series and from the 2nd July it will be on view for the public at London’s Serpentine Gallery. It is an ironic installation made up of a moustache-shaped metallic structure where two inflatable swimming-pool toys are hung up. Besides this work, Christie’s is presenting in its catalogue two other works by Koons: Flowers estimated at 300 – 400 thousand pounds and Walrus (Blue) valued at 350-450 thousand pounds.
Another lot which increases the prestige of the “Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale” catalogue is Concetto Spaziale, Natura by Lucio Fontana, presented for 1,300,000-1,900,000 pounds. A sculpture described as one of the Italian artist’s most important works, offered for the first time on the market at Christie’s. Another work by the founder of Spatialism is Concetto Spaziale, Attese, a bright red canvas with four Fontana-style cuts, offered to the public for 600-900 thousand pounds.
And of course there are works by the great International masters who have achieved a fundamental role among the stars of the contemporary art market. These include ANT 159 by Yves Klein (estimate 1,200,000 – 1,800,000 pounds), but also La Coiffeuse (The Hairdresser) by Jean Dubuffet (estimate 650,000 – 950,000 pounds) and Study for Portrait by Francis Bacon (estimate 800,000 – 1,200,000 pounds).
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