10 AM, May 10, 2012

Sale 8854

Lot 101, Untitled, by Alexander Calder, painted metal and wire, 8 inches wide, circa 1947

The day auction of Contemporary Art at Sotheby's New York May 10, 2012 is highlighted by several very fine sculptures by Alexander Calder (1898-1976), a great sculpture by Louise Nevelson (1899-1988), a couple of excellent sculptures by Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), a great painting by Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985), a nice abstract painting by Gerhard Richter (b. 1932), a good painting by Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993), and a good painting by William Baziotes (1912-1963). 

Lot 101, an untilted painted metal and wire sculpture by Calder, is property of the family of Henri Seyrig, one of three in the auction.  It is 8 inches wide and is dated circa 1947.  It has an estimate of $120,000 to $180,000.  It sold for $602,500.

The catalogue notes that Mr. Seyrig was an archaeologist, a numismatist and a historian of antiquity who was also a major patron of many major modern masters.

"Calder," the catalogue continued, "challenged the notion of static art, creating a new scuptural language of fluidity and motion.  Renowned for their elegant geometric simplicity, craftsmanship, and playfulness, the present works are a testament to the artist's imagination and talent for organic composition."

Lot 104, "The Orange Table," by Alexander Calder, painted metal and wire, 17 1/4 by 15 by 8 1/4 inches, 1942

Lot 104, "The Orange Table, is a fine painted metal and wire sculpture by Calder that was made in 1942 and measures 17 1/4 by 15 by 8 1/4 inches.  It is property formerly in the collection of Glenn and Louise Grohe.  It has an estimate of $600,000 to $800,000.  It sold for $2,546,500.

Lot 110, "Rising Spires," by Alexander Calder, painted metal, 19 3/4 by 20 by 15 inches 1956

Lot 110, "Rising Spires," is a painted metal sculpture by Calder from 1956.  It measures 19 3/4 by 20 by 15 inches.  It has an estimate of $400,000 to $500,000.  It sold for $626,500.

Lot 223, "Small Explosion (Desk Explosion)," by Roy Lichtenstein, enamel on steel, 21 1/4 inches high, 1965, number 2/8

Lot 223 is a fine enamel on steel sculpture by Roy Lichtenstein entitled "Small Explosion (Desk Explosion)."  It is 21 1/4 inches high and was created in 1965.  It is number 2/8.  It has an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000.  It sold for $422,500.

Lot 169, "Night Wall III," by Louise Nevelson, painted cor-ten steel, 1976

One of the auction's most impressive works is "Night Wall III,"  Lot 169, by Louise Nevelson, a 1976 large painted cor-ten steel sculpture.  It is one of Nevelson's most excellent works and has an estimat eof $350,000 to $450,000.  It sold for $782,500.

Lot 232, "Abstrakes Bild (595-3)," by Gerhard Richter, oil on canvas, 39 3/8 by 55 1/8 inches

Lot 232, "Abstrakes Bild (595-3)," is an oil on canvas by Richter that measures 39 3.8 by 55 1/8 iunches.  It has an estimate of $2,000,000 to $3,000,000.  It sold for $2,098,500.

Lot 134 "Deux Bedouins au desert," by Jean Dubuffet, gouache on paper mounted on canvas, 12 3/8 by 16 1/4 inches, 1947

Lot 134 is a fine gouache on paper mounted on canvas by Jean Dubuffet that measures 12 3/8 by 16 1/4 inches.  It was painted in 1947.  It has an estimate of $90,000 to $120,000.  It sold for $206,500.

Lot 205, "Untitled," by Richard Diebenkorn, gouache on two joined sheets of paper, 31 by 21 inches, 1977

Lot 205 is a classic Ocean Park composition by Richard Diebenkorn.  Untitled, it is a gouached on two joined sheets of paper that measure altogether 31 by 21 inches.  It was painted in 1977.  It has an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000.  It failed to sell.