MASTERWORKS FROM POST-WAR AND CONTEMPORARY ART & DESIGN
New York – June 1, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Christie’s is delighted to present the Property From A Distinguished New York Collection, a harmonious and elegant ensemble of major canvases from Post-War masters including Rothko, de Kooning, Brice Marden and Cy Twombly, assembled with exquisite furniture and objects by oustanding designers of the 20th century, such as Eugène Printz, Jean Royère , Paul Dupré-Lafon and George Nakashima. This remarkable collection demonstrates how artists and designers working across mediums and disciplines have used the simple elements of line and form in innumerable ways to create works that celebrate grace and elegance in whatever form they appear. Seamlessly bringing together works of fineart and design, this collection champions the range and breadth of the creative forces that have driven artists and designers for generations.
Among the highlights of the collection, Brice Marden’s Blue Horizontal and Sturtevant’s Warhol Diptych are poised to break the previous world auction records for these artists. The collection will be on view from May 1st to 13th , the Post-War and Contemporary art works will be part of the New York evening and day sales on May 13th and 14th, and the Design will be sold within the Design auction on June 10th in New York.
Line and form are the foundation of all art and nowhere is this more in evidence that in Brice Marden’s monumental painting, Blue Horizontal (estimate: 9,000,000-12,000,000) where the authorial gesture is everywhere as evidenced in the nest of open triangular forms that the artist weaves into a richly textured surface of painterly layers. The infinite scope of these gestures can be seen in the intense concentration of Yayoi Kusama’s scalloped forms in Infinity Nets (estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000), which contrasts with the fluid ribbons of color that fills the canvas in Willem de Kooning’s Untitled X (estimate: $7,000,000-9,000,000). Meanwhile, the spontaneous gesture in Twombly’s Untitled (estimate: $2,500,000-3,500,000) appears to be in direct opposition to the Andy Warhol’s Pop aesthetic, yet in the his 1984 Rorschach painting (estimate: $3,500,000-4,500,000), Warhol takes the rare opportunity to explore abstraction in the enigmatic black forms that meander across the canvas.
Art and design have been effortlessly combined in this elegant apartment in a tribute to the owner’s taste and creativity. The muted palette and elegant textures of the interior compliment works from some of the most notable designers of the 20th century – Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Paul Dupré-Lafon, Alexandre Noll, Eugène Printz, George Nakashima and Jean Royère. Statement pieces enveloped in cream-colored parchment, smooth stone with fossil inclusions, muted gilt iron and deftly sculpted mahogany were selected to convey an atmosphere of warmth and richness of tone. Despite representing a wide range of styles – from French Art Deco to American mid-century design – the furniture and objects assembled here create a dialogue in which each holds its own and emerge as a powerful entity.
About Christie’s
Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2014 that totalled £5.1 billion / $8.4 billion, making it the highest annual total in Christie’s history. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers around 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie’s also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totalled £916.1 million ($1.5 billion) in 2014, an increase of 20% on the previous year.
Christie’s has a global presence with 54 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, 下Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Shanghai, New Delhi, Mumbai and Dubai.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.
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