Art/Auctions: Post-War and Contemporary Art morning auction at Christie's New York, November 16, 2018

Post-War and Contemporary Art

Christie's New York

10 AM, November 16, 2018

Sale 15975

Hockney 606

Lot 606, "A Visit with Mo and Lisa (Echo Park)," by David Hockney, gouache, wax crayon and graphite on paper, diptych, 60 3/4 by 102 1/2 inches overall, 1984

By Carter B. Horsley

The Post-War and Contemporary Art morning auction at Christie's New York November 16, 2018 is highlighted by a large David Hockney and good works by Diebenkorn, Frankenthaler, Stamos, Krasner, Pollock, Hofmann and Grooms.

Lot 606 is a large diptych by Hockney (b. 1937) entitled "A Visit with Mo and Lisa (Echo Park)." The gouache, wax crayon and graphite on paper measures 60 3/4 by 102 1/2 inches overall and was painted in 1984. It is from the collection of Harriet W. and Mary Margaret Anderson and was exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Tate Gallery in London 1988-9 and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2001. In 2011, the Andersons have Stanford University 121 works including many by the leading artists of the New York School.

The lot, which is the cover illustration of the catalogue, has an estimate of $2,000,000 to $3.000,000. It sold for $2,652,500 including the buyer's premium as do all results mentioned in this article.

The auction total was $63,354,500.

Lots 642, 643 and 641, "Large Light Blue," "Twelve," and "Large Bright Blue," from 8 color etchings by Richard Diebenkorn, 1980

The auction contained several works from a group of 8 color etchings in 1980 by Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993). These were lots 642, 643 and 641m "Large Light Blue," "Twelve," and "Large Bright Blue." These are also from the Anderson collection. Lots 642 and 641 are number 22/35 and Lot 643 is numbered 10/50. Lot 642 has an estimate of $70,000 to $100,000. It sold for $162,500. Lot 643 has an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. It sold for $56,250. Lot 641 has an estimate of $120,000 to $180,000. It sold for $187,500.

Lot 607, "Untitled," by Richard Diebenkorn, gouache, acrylic and wax crayon on joined paper, 38 by 26 1/2 inches, 1984

Another Diebenkorn work from the Anderson collection is Lot 607, an untitled gouache, acrylic and wax crayon on joined paper that measures 38 by 26 1/2 inches. It was painted in 1984 and has been widely exhibited. It has an estimate of $600,000 to $800,000. It sold for $972,500.

Lot 751, "Untitled #6," by Richard Diebenkorn, oil on canvas, 51 by 36 inches, 1948

Lot 752 is an early Diebenkorn from the Mandell & Madeleine Berman collection that is a 1948 oil on canvas that measures 51 by 36 inches. It is known as "Untitled #6."

Lot 629, "Gelbe und rote Sonnenblumen," by Emil Nolde, goauche and watercolor on Japan paper, 13 by 17 5.8 inches

Another lot from the Anderson collection is Lot 629, "Gelbe und rote Sonnenblumen," by Emil Nolde (1867-1956). A gouache and watercolor on Japan paper, it measures 13 by 17 5/8 inches. It has an estimate of $80,000 to $100,000. It sold for $118,750.

Lot 610, "Study for Washington Wall Painting," by Franz Kline, oil, paper collage and masking tape on paper, 5 1/8 by 25 3/4 inches, 1959

Lot 610 is a fine study for his "Washington Wall Painting" by Franz Kline (1910-1962) from the Anderson collection. An oil, paper collage and masking tape on paper, it measures 5 1/8 by 25 3/4 inches and was painted in 1959. It has been widely exhibited. It has an estimate of $150,000 to $250,000. It failed to sell.

Lot 640, "Subway II," by Red Grooms, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, plastic, wax crayon and paper collage mounted on foamcore in Plexiglass box, 21 1/4 by 36 by 9 inches, 1986

Another excellent Anderson work is Lot 640, "Subway II," by Red Grooms (b. 1937). It is a watercolor, gouache, acrylic, plastic, wax crayon and paper collage mounted on foamcore in Plexiglass box that measures 21 1/4 by 36 by 9 inches and was created in 1986. It has a modest estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $37,500.

Lot 645, "Park Place," by Wayne Thiebaud, 29 1/2 by 20 7/8 inches, etching with drypoint and aquatint in colors on Somerset Textured Paper, 1995

Lot 645 is a good etching with drypoint and acquatint in colors on Somerset Textured Paper by Wayne Thiebaud (b. 1920) from the Anderson Collection. It measures 29 1/2 by 20 7/8 inches and was created in 1995. It has an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000. It sold for $32,500.

Lot 667, "Untitled," by Lee Krasner, oil and paper collage on canvas, 40 1/8 by 30 inches, 1975

Lot 667 is an excellent untitled oil and paper collage on canvas by Lee Krasner (1908-1984). It measures 40 1/8 by 30 inches and was created in 1975. It is property from the estate of Eugene V. Thaw. It has an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000. It failed to sell.

Lot 677, "Piero," by Helen Frankenthaler, acrylic on canvas, 90 by 42 1/8 inches, 1985

Lot 677 is a great acrylic on canvas by Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) entitled "Piero." It measures 90 by 42 1/8 inches and was painted in 1985.

In his 1989 book on the artist, J. Elderfield provided the following commentary:

"It is reasonable to say that it would not, indeed could not be the picture it is, and hold the meaning it does hold, without the poster of the Piero having been on the wall of the studio. But any attempt to suggest, let alone demonstrate, dependance on the Piero beyond that provided by the foregoing explication is futile. The picture does not ask for interpretation in this sense; on the contrary, it repels it."

The lot has an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000. It sold for $588,500.

Lot 721, "Ashes and Embers," by Helen Frankenthaler, acrylic on canvas, 59 1/2 by 90 1/2 inches, 1988

Another great Frankenthaler is Lot 721, "Ashes and Embers," an acrylic on canvas that measures 59 1/2 by 90 1/2 inches. It wa painted in 1988. It has an estimate of $600,000 to $800,000. It sold for $672,500.

Lot 729, "Interpenetration," by Hans Hofmann, oil on canvas, 23 7/8 by 20 1/8 inches, 1951

Lot 729 is a wonderful oil on canvas by Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) entitled "Interpenetration." It measures 23 7/8 by 20 1/8 inches and was painted in 1951. It has an modest estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. It sold for $225,000.

Lot 752, "Abstract Painting," by Jackson Pollock, oil, ink and paper collage on paperboard, 15 7/8 by 21 inches, 1943

Lot 752 is a fine early work by Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) entitled "Abstract Painting." An oil, ink and paper collage on paperboard, it measures 15 7/8 by 21 inches and was painted in 1943.'' At the November 11, 2010 auction at Christie's New York, it had an an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000 and sold for $242,500. At this auction it has a modest estimate of $150,000 to $200,000. It sold for $275,000.

Lot 749, "Classic Boundaries No. 2," by Theodoros Stamos, oil on canvas, 44 by 40 inches, circa 1962

One of the most beautiful abstract works in the auction is Lot 749, "Classic Boundaries No. 2," by Theodoros Stamos (1922-1997). A 1962 oil canvas, it measures 44 by 40 inches. It has a modest estimate of $100,000 to $150,000. It sold for $162,500.

See The City Review article on the Fall 2017 Contemporary Art evening auction at Christie's New York
See The City Review article on the Spring 2017 Contemporary Art evening auction at Christie's New York
See The City Review article on the Spring 2017 Contemporary Art evening auction at Sotheby's New York
See The City Review article on the Fall 2016 Contemporary Art evening auction at Christie's New York
See The City Review article on the Spring 2016 Contemporary Art evening auction at Christie's New York

See The City Review article on the Sotheby's evening auction May 10, 2000 of Impressionist & Modern Art

See The City Review article on the May 11, 2000 auction at Sotheby's of Impressionist & Modern Art, Part 2

See The City Review article on the Sotheby's Impressionist & Modern Art Auction, Part I, Nov. 11, 1999

See The City Review article on Part Two of the Sotheby's auction November 11, 1999 of Impressionist & Modern Art

See The City Review article on the Christie's Nov. 8, 1999 evening sale of Impressionist & Post Impressionist Art

See The City Review article on the morning auction Nov. 9, 1999 of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art at Christie's

See The City Review article on the afternoon auction Nov. 9, 1999 of Impressionist and Twentieth Century Works on Paper at Christie's

See The City Review article on the Christie's Nov. 9, 1999 evening auction of Twentieth Century Art

See The City Review article on the Christie's Nov. 10, 1999 day auction of Twentieth Century Art

See The City Review analysis of Part 1 of the Sotheby's auction May 11, 1999 of Impressionist and Modern Art

See The City Review analysis of Part 2 of the Sotheby's May 12, 1999 auction of Impressionist and Modern Art

See The City Review article on the Christie's May 12, 1999 auction of Impressionist Art and 19th Century Art

See The City Review of the Christie's May 13, 1999 auction of 20th Century and Modern Art

Recap of the Spring 1998 Impressionist and Modern Auctions

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