Lot
117, "Gold and Green," by Hans Hofmann, oil on canvas, 36 by 48 inches,
1955
By Carter B. Horsley
This morning
auction of Contemporary Art at Sotheby's May 11, 2011 is highlighted by
several fine abstract paintings by Hans Hofmann, and good works by
William Baziotes, Theodoros Stamos, Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning,
Richard Diebenkorn and Arnaldo Pomodoro.
Lot 117, "Gold and
Green," is a strong oil on canvas by Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) that
measures 36 by 48 inches and was painted in 1955.
The catalogue
provides the following commentary:
"A bold symphony
of color, Gold and Green (1955) was executed at the height of Hans
Hofmann's career. Pulsating with dynamism yet harmonious and
elegant, its vibrant colors and purposefully frenetic composition
establishes the Abstract Expressionist's "Push Pull" theory.
This technique served to create the illusion of space in his
canvases, transforming two-dimensional surfaces into three-dimensional
organism. The present work is the predeccessor for the
artist's later archetoric works for which he is so renowned.
The painting has
an estimate of $600,000 to $800,000. It sold for $578,500.
Lot 122, "The Island," by Hans
Hofmann, oil on panel, 30 by 35 inches, 1937
Lot 122 is a bold
composition entitled "The Island" by Hans Hofmann that is an oil on
panel that measures 30 by 35 inches. Executed in 1937, it has
an estimate of $80,000 to$120,000. It sold for $128,500.
Lot
108, "Untitled (Composition Red, Yellow, Blue)," by Willem de Kooning,
oil on card mounted on masonite, 14 1/4 by 13 5/8 inches, 1960
Lot 108 is a
strong and pleasant abstract composition by Willem de Kooning
(1904-1997) entitled "Untitled (Composition Red, Yellow, Blue)."
An oil on card mounted on masonite, it measures 14 1/4 by 13
5/8 inches and was painted in 1960. It has an estimate of
$250,000 to $350,000. It
sold for $302,500.
Lot 173,
"Untitled (Spade)" by Richard Diebenkorn, watercolor, pastel and pencil
on paper, 24 1/2 by 22 inches, 1981
Lot 173 is a
lovely watercolor, pastel and pencil on paper by Richard Diebenkorn
(1922-1993). Entitled "Untitled (Spade)," it measures 24 1/2
by 22 inches and was created in 1981. It has an estimate of
$300,000 to $400,000. It
sold for $254,500.
Lot
123, "Weight of Narcissus" by Theodoros Stamos, pastel and gouache on
paper, 24 by 18 inches, 1946
Lot 123 is a
beautiful pastel and gouache on paper by Theodore Stamos (1922-1997)
entitled "Weight of Narcissus." It measures 24 by 18 inches
and was painted in 1946. It has a modest estimate of $20,000
to $30,000. It
failed to sell.
Lot
129, "Levant V" by Theodoros Stamos, oil on canvas, 80 by 70 inches,
1960
Lot 129 is a very stunning and beautiful abstraction by
Theodoros Stamos (1922-1997) entitled "Levant V." An oil on
canvas, it measures 80 by 70 inches and was made in 1960. It
has a modest estimate of $100,000 to $150,000. It sold for $254,500.
Lot 160,
"Bird and Woman," by William Baziotes, oil and gouache on canvas, 30 by
38 inches, 1947
Lot 160 is an
excellent oil and gouache on canvas by William Baziotes (1912-1963)
entitled "Bird and Woman." It measures 30 by 38 inches and
was painted in 1947. It has an estimate of $150,000 to
$200,000. It
failed to sell.
Lot
139, "Untitled" by Robert Motherwell, acrylic on canvas, 35 by 45
inches, 1964, left; Lot 159, "Orange and Lavender No. 72," by Adolph
Gottlieb, acrylic on paper laid down on canvas, 1970, right
Lot 139 is a very
strong untitled abstract acrylic on canvas by Robert Motherwell
(1915-1991). It measures 35 by 45 inches and was painted in
1964. It has an estimate of $450,000 to $650,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 159 is a
subtle abstraction by Adolph Gottlieb (1903-1974) entitled "Orange and
Lavender No. 72." It is an acrylic on paper laid down on
canvas in 1970. It has an estimate of $50,000 to
$70,000. It
sold for $122,500.
Lot 290,
"Asse del movimento II," by Arnaldo Pomodoro, bronze, 70 by
68 1/4 by 68 1/4 inches, 1987, from an edition of 2 plus 1 artist's
proof
Lot 290 is a
great bronze sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro (b. 1926) entitled "Asse del
movimento II." It measures 70 by 68 1/4 by 68 1/4 inches and
was created in 1987 in an edition of 2 plus 1 artist's proof.
It has an estimate of $300,000 to $400,000. It sold for $386,600.
Lot
107, "Untitled (Study for Charcoal, Black and Tan)" by Franz Kline, ink
and gouache on paper, 13 7/8 by 10 7/8 inches, 1959
Lot 107 is an
excellent study by Franz Kline (1910-1962) for "Charcoal, Black and
Tan," an oil on canvas that measures 112 by 82 1/2 inches at the Empire
State Plaza Collection in New York. The study is an ink and
gouache on paper that measures 13 7/8 by 10 7/8 inches and was made in
1959. It has an estimate of $150,000 to $200,000. It sold for $182,500.
Lot 242,
"Imperfect Painting" by Roy Lichtenstein, oil and magna on canvas, 111
1/2 by 102 inches, 1986
Lot 242 is a
very impressive abstract painting by Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) with
the delightful title "Imperfect Painting." An oil and magna
on canvas, it measures 111 1/2 inches by 102 inches and was painted in
1986. It has an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000. It sold for $626,500.
