Lot 24,
"Paisaje de Papantla," by Gunther Gerzso, oil on masonite 39 1/2 by 28
3/4 inches, 1955
The cover
illustration of this auction's catalogue isLot 24,"Paisaje de
Papantla," a very handsome abstraction by Gunther Gerzso (1915-2000).
An oil on masonite, it measures 39 1/2 by 28 3/4 inches and
was executed in 1955. With its muted and limited palette,
this very original, layered abstraction is one of the artist's finest.
The catalogue provides the following commentary:
"Drawing inspiration from the rich textures and colors of his native
land, Gerzso's abstractions penetratingly channel the spiritual state
and psychic imagination of the Mexican landscape....The surreal
qualities of the land permeates the pictorial space of Paisaje de Papantla,
which evocatively re-imagines the archaic forms of the Totonacanapan
settlements in modern-day Veracruz."
The lot has an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 205,
"Azul-verde-blanco-naranja," by Gunther Gerzso, oil and sand on
masonite, 25 1/4 by 30 inches, 1984
Lot 205,
"Azul-verde-blanco-naranja," is a more typical Gerzso. It is
an oil and sand on masonite that measures 25 1/4 by 30 inches.
It was painted in 1984. It has a modest estimate of
$60,000 to $80,000. It sold for $122,500.
Lot
66, "Paisaje: Semejanza mia," by Gunther Gerzso, oil and sand on
canvas, 26 7/8 by 36 3/8 inches, 1986
Another very
fine, "conventional" Gerzso is Lot 66, "Paisaje: Semejanza mia."
An oil and sand on canvas, it measures 26 7/8 by 36 3/8 inches
and was painted in 1986. It is very nicely framed
and has an estimate of $80,000 to $120,00. It sold for $170,500.
Lot
199, "Paisaje," by Gunther Gerzso, oil on cardboard, 22 1/2 by 16
inches, 1958, left; Lot 202, "Elevsis II" by Gerzso, oil on masonite,
20 by 15 inches, 1961, right
The auction has two other excellent, atypical Gerzsos, Lot 199, "Paisaje," a 1958
oil on cardboard that measures 22 1/2 by 16 inches and has an estimate
of $40,000 to $60,000, and Lot 202, "Elevsis II," a 1961
oil on masonite that measures 20 by 15 inches and also has an
estimate of $40,000 to $60,000. Both are very interesting, spartan
abstractions. Lot 199 did not sell. Lot 202 sold for $40,000.
Lot 64,
"Palaeoxora," by Gonzalo Fonseca, painted and incised cement relief, 25
1/4 by 32 3/4 by 2 1/8 inches, 1961
One of the
most interesting and impressive works in the auction is Lot 64, a
painted and incised cement relief by Gonzalo Fonseca (I1922-1997)
entitled "Palaeoxora." It measures 25 1/4 by 32 3/4 by 2 1/8
inches and was executed in 1961. It has a modest estimate of
$40,000 to $60,000. It sold for $62,500.
Lot 60, "La
estacion III," by Armando Morales, oil and beeswax on canvas, 63 3/4 by
79 inches, 1984
Lot 60 is a
very large and very fine oil and beeswax on canvas by Armando Morales
(b. 1927) entitled "La estacion III." It measures 63 3/4 by
79 inches and was painted in 1984. It has an estimate of
$200,000 to $300,000. It sold for $200,500.
Lot 47, "Selva," by Armando Morales, oil and beeswax on canvas, 63 3/4 by 79 inches, 1986
Lot
47 is a marvelous dense forest scene by Armando Morales entitled
"Selva." An oil and beeswax on canvas, it measures 63 3/4 by 79
inches and was painted in 1986. It has an estimate of $300,000 to
$400,000. It sold for $422,500.
Lot 41, untitled, by Matta, oil on canvas, 65 1/4 by 131 3/4 inches
Lot
41 is a spectacular and great untitled oil on canvas by Matta
(1911-2002). It measures 65 1/4 by 131 3/4 inches. It has a
modest estimate of $250,000 to $350,000. It sold for $429,700.
Lot 68, untitled, by Matta, 70 3/4 by 117 1/4 inches, oil and sand on burlap, circa 1960
Another
very large work by Matta is Lot 68, an untitled oil and sand on burlap
that measures 70 3/4 by 117 1/4 inches. It was executed circa
1960. It is a monumental and extremely strong work that is
atypical in that its palette is dark and rich rather than diaphonous
and pscyhedelic. It has a conservative estimate of $250,000 to
$350,000. It sold for $422,500.
Lot 62, "Basurero," by Tomas Sanchez, oil on canvas, 43 by 58 7/8 inches, 1991
Lot 62, "Basurero," is a large acrylic on canvas by
Tomas Sanchez (b. 1948) that is a very impressive vista of a trash
site. It measures 43 by 58 7/8 inches and was painted in 1991.
It has a conservative estimate of $150,000 to $200,000. It sold for $182,500.
Lot 26, "El
gato," by Leonore Carrington, oil on canvas, 32 by 40 inches,1951
Lot 26 is a
good oil on canvas by Leonore Carrington (b. 1917) entitled "El gato."
It measures 32 by 40 inches and was painted in 1951.
It has an estimate of $150,000 to $200,000. It sold for $194,500.
Lot
27, "Survivor," by Frida Kahlo, 6 5/8 by 4 3/4 inches, 1938
Lot 27 is a
very small oil on metal framed by the artist in a handcrafted Oaxacan
tin frame by Frida Kahlo (1907-1954). Entitled "Survivor,"
the painting measures 6 5/8 by 4 3/4 inches and the lovely frame
measures 16 3/4 by 14 3/4 inches. The painting was created in
1938. The painting depicts a Coilima warrior figure.
It has a modest estimate of $100,000 to $150,000. It sold for $1,178,500.
Lot 40,
"Composicion constructiva en planos y figuras," by Joaquin
Torres-Garcia, oil on canvas, 23 1/2 by 19 inches, 1931
One of the auction's highlights is a classic oil on canvas by Joaquin
Torres-Garcia (1874-1949) entitled "Composicion constructiva en planos
y figuras." It measures 23 1/2 by 19 inches and was painted
in 1931. It has an estimate of $800,000 to $1,200,000. It sold for $866,500.