The
day auction of Contemporary Art at Sotheby's May 14, 2010 is
highlighted by a superb painting by Jennifer Bartlett, numerous very
good works by such major names as Willem de Kooning, Anselm Kiefer,
Robert Motherwell, Jack Twarkov, Hans Hofmann, James Rosenquist and Tom
Wesselmann, and fine examples of some younger artists such as Matthew
Day Jackson, Jorge Pardo and Kristin Baker.
The standout work is
Lot 462, a fabulous oil on canvas by Jennifer Bartlett (b. 1941)
entitled "Ten P.M." It measures 84 inches square and its
painterliness an subject matter is reminiscent of Andrew Wyeth, Lucien Freud and
Francis Bacon and many others. It has a very modest estimate of
$30,000 to $40,000. It sold for $46,875 including the buyer's premium.
The sale was very successful with a sales total of $53,417,050.
Lot 116, "Study of a Woman," by Willem de Kooning, oil on paper, 28 by 21 1/2 inches, 1965Lot
116 is a fine and vigorous study of a woman by Willem de Kooning
(1904-1997). An oil on paper, it measures 28 by 21 1/2 inches and
was executed in 1965. It has a modest estimate of $350,000 to
$450,000. It was exhibited at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford
in 1966. It sold for $818,500.
Lot 127, "Levant #1," by Theodore Stamos, oil on canvas, 42 by 58 inches, 1960
Lot 127 is a stunning abstraction by Theodore Stamos (1922-1997) entitled "Levant #1."
A oil on canvas, it measures 42 by 58 inches and was
painted in 1960. It is property of the Museum of Contemporary Art
in Chicago. It has a modest estimate of $70,000 to $90,000. It sold for $182,500.
Lot 173, "Elegy Mural Study," by Robert Motherwell, acrylic and pencil on canvasboard, 5 1/2 by 15 3/4 inches, 1986
Lot
173 is an excellent study for "Elegy" by Robert Motherwell (1915-1991).
An acrylic and pencil and canvasboard, it measures 5 1/2 by 15
3/4 inches and was painted in 1986. It has a modest estimate of
$120,000 to $180,000. It sold for $242,500.
Lot 281, "Yucatan," by Robert Motherwell, oil and collage on masonite, 34 by 18 inches, 1983
Lot
281 is a bold abstraction by Robert Motherwell entitled "Yucatan."
An oil and collage on masonite, it measures 34 by 18 inches and
was painted in 1983. It has a modest estimate of $80,000 to
$120,000. It sold for $158,500.
Lot 286, "Goya's Dog II," by Robert Motherwell, collage and acrylic on canvasboard, 35 by 35 1/4 inches, 1985
Another
good work by Motherwell is Lot 286, "Goya's Dog II," a collage and
acrylic on canvas board. It measures 35 by 35 1/4 inches and was
created in 1985. It is property of the Museum of Contemporary Art
in Chicago. It has a modest estimate of $60,000 to $80,000. It sold for $230,500.
Lot 269, "Chimera," by James Rosenquist, oil and acrylic on canvas, 48 by 100 inches, 1975
Lot
269 is a fine work by James Rosenquist (b. 1933) entitled "Chimera."
An oil and acrylic on canvas, it measures 48 by 100 inches and
was painted in 1975. It has a modest estimate of $150,000 to
$200,000. It sold for $314,500.
Lot 122, "Tryptique," by Jean-Paul Riopelle, oil on canvas, 24 by 88 inches, circa 1961
Works
by Jean-Paul Riopelle (1923-2002) usually have very dynamic and
rhythmic compositions so this work, Lot 122, "Tryptique," is a bit
unusual for the quite dissimilar compositions of its three parts.
Its overall measures are 24 by 88 inches and it was painted circa
1961. It has a modest estimate of $150,000 to $200,000. It sold for $254,500.
Lot 270, "Parrot," by Andy Warhol, synthetic polymer paint and silkscreen ink on canvas, 14 by 11 inches, 1983
One
of the cutest paintings by Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is "Parrot," Lot
270, a synthetic polymer paint and silkscreen ink on canvas.
Executed in 1983, it measures 14 by 11 inches. It has a
modest estimate of $70,000 to $90,000. It sold for $86.500.
Lot
395, "Steinbock," by Anselm Kiefer, oil, emulsion, acrylic chalk on
lead on canvas with plaster paint, 78 by 113 1/2 inches, 2001
The
catalogue entry for Lot 395, "Steinbock," by Anselm Kiefer (b. 1945)
notes that "Steinbock" means an ibex but also the astrological sign of
Capricorn tnat the artist thinks that names of constellations have no
connection with reality and that he likes Robert Fludd, the 16th
Century philosopher who "challenged the relationships between the macro
and microcosms," noting that "the thought that every plant has a
corresponding star comes from Robert Fludd." "I was so taken by
this beautiful expression that I pusued it," the artist said. The
work consists of oil, emulsion, acrylic chalk on lead on canvas with
plaster paint and it measures 78 by 113 1/2 inches. It was
created in 2001 and has an estimate of $450,000 to $550,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 126, "Untitled," by Joan Mitchell, pastel on paper in two parts, each 12 1/2 by 9 3/8 inches, 1967
Lot
126 is a very fine untitled pastel on paper in two parts by Joan
Mitchell (1925-1982) that is very restrained and elegant.
Executed in 1967, each part measures 12 1/2 by 9 3/8 inches.
It has an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000. It sold for $122,500.
Lot 115, "Ulysses," by Jack Twarkov, oil on canvas, 80 by 39 inches, 1951
Lot
115 is a monumental and very fine abstraction entitled "Ulysses" by
Jack Twarkov (1900-1982). An oil on canvas, it measures 80 by 39
inches and was painted in 1951. It has a modest estimate of
$70,000 to $90,000. It sold for $164,500.
Lot 117, "Gauteamus Igitur (In Gay Enjoyment)," by Hans Hofmann, oil on canvas, 60 1/8 by 48 1/4, 1963
Hans
Hofmann (1880-1966) was one of the most revered art teachers of the
20th Century whose work is still underappreciated. His
compositions and technique vary considerably, an indication of how
important experimentation was for him. Lot 117, "Gauteamus Igitur
(In Gay Enjoyment)," is a strong and interesting oil on canvas that he
painted in 1963. It measures 60 1/8 by 48 1/8. It has a
conservative estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. It sold for $230,500.
Lot 317, "Uncomposed Ingemination," by Kristin Baker, acrylic on PVC, 26 by 40 inches, 2009
A
very colorful and strong composition is "Uncomposed Ingemination," Lot
317, by Kristin Baker (b. 1975). An acrylic on PVC, it measures
26 by 40 inches and was created in 2009. It has an estimate of
$40,000 to $60,000. It sold for $37,500.
Lot
319, "Fortunate Son," by Matthew Day Jackson, oil, embossed leather,
inlaid veneer and wood stain on 9-ply maple, 30 by 60 inches, 2003
Lot
319 is an interesting work entitled "Fortunate Son" by Matthew
Day Jackson (b. 1974). An oil, embossed leather, inlaid veneer
and wood stain on 9-ply maple, it measures 30 by 60 inches and was
created in 2003. It has an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000. It sold for $98,500.
Lot 392, Untitled, by Manolo Valdes, oil on burlap 79 by 67 inches, 2005
One
of the most striking images in the auction is Lot 392, an untitled work
by Manolo Valdes (b. 1942). An oil on burlap, it measures 79 by
67 inches and was created in 2005. It has an estimate of $250,000
to $350,000. It sold for $374,500.
Lot 261, "Emma Bovary," by Jim Dine, acrylic on canvas with paint brush and nail, 72 by 108 inches, 1972
Lot
261 is a large and painterly work by Jim Dine (b. 1935) entitled "Emma
Bovary." It is an acrylic on canvas with paint brush and nail and
measures 7u2 by 108 inches. It was painted in 1972. It has
an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000. It sold for $122,500.
Lot 212, "Still Life with Belt and Sneaker," by Tom Wesselmann, oil on shaped canvas, 60 1/2 by 120 inches, 1981
Lot
212 is a good oil on shaped canvas by Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004)
entitled "Still Life with Belt and Sneaker. It measures 60 1/2 by
120 inches and was executed in 1981. It has an estimate of
$600,000 to $800,000. It sold for $650,500.
Lot 215, "Untitled," by Arman, acrylic paint and paint tubes on canvas, 36 1/8 by 28 1/2 inches, 1988
Lot
215 is a bunch of paint tubes painted red on canvas by Arman
(1928-2005). The untitled work measures 36 1/8 by 28 1/2 inches
and was executed in 1988. It sold for $68,500.
Lot 403, untitled, by Jorge Pardo, ink-jet on resin-treated butcher paper and two brackets, 28 by 42 inches, 2003
One
of the more interesting works in the auction is Lot 403, an untitled
ink-jet on resin-treated butcher paper by Jorge Pardo (b. 1963.
The performated work that conjures wheat and grass flowing in the
breeze, measures 28 by 42 inches and was created in 2003. It has
an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. It sold for $8,125.
Lot 431, "Spiral Staircase," by James Casebere, chromagenic print mounted on plexiglass 93 by 71 3/4 inches, 2003
Lot
431 is a sparkling chromagenic print by James Casebere (b. 1953)
entitled "Spiral Staircase." It was created in 2003 and measures
93 by 71 3/4 inches. It has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $50,000.
Lot 353, "Little Egypt," by Marilyn Minter, color coupler print, 36 1/4 by 50 inches, 2002, from an edition of 5
Lot
353 is a dazzling color coupler print that might well attract
humminbirds. Entitled "Little Egypt," it is 36 1/4 by 50 inches
and was created in 2002 by Marilyn Minter (b. 1948). It is from
an edition of 5. It has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $37,500.
S See The City Review article on the Spring 2010 Contemporary Art evening auction at Christie's
See The City Review article on
the 2010 Spring Contemporary Art evening auction at Christie's
See The City Review on the Spring 2010 Michael Crichton Colllection of Contemporary Art auction at Christie's
S2 see The City Review
article on the Fall Contemporary Art evening auction at Sotheby's