By Carter B. Horsley

This morning auction of Contemporary Art at Sotheby's November 10, 2005 is highlighted by a great painting by Wayne Thiebaud, a nice sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro, a fine painting by Barbara Kruger, a nice Cy Twombly, a strong Helen Frankenthaler and a good Malcolm Morley.

Wayne Thiebaud (b. 1920) is best known for his luscious still lifes and dramatic urban scapes. Lot 203 is a very fine study of rows of men's neckties that is surprisingly powerful given its small size of 13 1/2 by 16 1/2 inches. Executed in 1970, it has an estimate of $300,000 to $400,000. This lot is the back-cover illustration of the catalogue.

Lot 185 is a very handsome bronze with gold patina sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro (b. 1926). Entitled "Disco," it is 36 inches in diameter and was executed in 1966 and is the second artist's proof from an original editionof 3. It has a modest estimate of $40,000 to $60,000.

Lot 116 is a good untitled abstraction by Lee Krasner (see The City Review article on a Krasner exhibition). A gouache on paper, it measures 22 1/2 by 30 inches and was executed circa 1964. It has a modest estimtae of $60,000 to $80,000.

Lot 136, "Gaudeamus Igatur (In Gay Enjoyment," is a strong abstraction by Hans Hofmann (1880-1966). An oil on canvas, it measures 60 1/8 by 48 1/8 inches. Executed in 1963, it has an estimate of $300,000 to $400,000.

Lot 255 is a strong abstraction by Helen Frankenthaler (b.1928) that is entitled "Aqueduct." An acrylic on canvas, it measures 62 1/4 by 39 1/2 inches and was executed in 1987. It has a modest estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.

Lot 200 is a good 1971 work by Cy Twombly (b. 1928). Entitled "Ramification," is is an oil, pencil and oilstick on paper collage on paper that measures 33 1/4 by 27 1/4 inches. It has an estimate of $250,000 to $350,000.

Lot 175 is a simple but good pencil, wax crayon and gouache on paper by Cy Twombly. It measures 25 1/2 by 20 inches. executed in 1971, it has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.

A work that employs a somewhat similar palette and composition but is far more interesting is Lot 155, "Split Level, Weather Vane," by Malcolm Morley (b. 1931). An oil on pencil on canvas, it measures 37 1/2 by 45 1/2 inches and was executed in 1964. It has a modest estimate of $30,000 to $40,000.

Lot 353 is a fine large photographic silkscreen in on vinyl by Barbara Kruger (b. 1945). Entitled "Not Stupid Enough," it measures 109 inches square and was executed in 1997. It was included in the retrospective exhibition on the artist in 1999-2000 at The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. It has an estimate of $250,000 to $350,000.

Lot 354 is a good large work by Gilbert (b. 1943) & George (b. 1942). Entitled "Faith Curse," it consists of 20 hand colored photographs and overall it measures 94 3/4 by 98 3/8 inches. Executed in 1982, it has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.

The most charming work in the auction is Lot 319, "Chintz Girls," by Laura Ford (b. 1961). The work consists of five figures of girls in chintz, each 39 1/8 by 28 1/4 by 28 1/4 inches and made of plaster, wire and fabric. The work was executed in 1998 and has an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000.

Richard Artschwager (b. 1923) has a great sense of texture and one suspects he makes great sandcastles. Lot 415, "Two Diners (A)," is a fine example of his art, a formica and acrylic on celotex in painted artist's wood frame. It measures 63 by 61 1/2 by 4 inches and was executed in 1986. It has a modest estimate of $40,000 to $60,000.

Lot 424 is an impressive and colorful painting by Sandro Chia (b. 1946) that is entitled "Painter With Sons and Frog." An oil on canvas, it measures 86 1/4 by 79 1/2 inches and was executed in 1984. It has an estimate of $120,000 to $180,000.

Lot 444 is a large printed paper, oil and mixed media on burlap by Anselm Kiefer (b. 1945). Entitled "Odin and the World Ash," it measures 66 1/4 by 74 1/2 inches and was executed in 1981. It has an estimate of $300,000 to $400,000.