Willem de Kooning work on paper may sell for $700,000

PanARMENIAN.Net - An original pastel and mixed media on paper by renowned Dutch-American artist Willem de Kooning (1904-1997), titled Woman (Study for Marilyn Monroe), signed, is the expected top lot at a Spring Salon Auction slated for May 2-3 by Ahlers & Ogletree, in the firm’s gallery located at 715 Miami Circle (Suite 210), beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern time on both days, Art Daily reports.

The unframed work, done circa 1950s and measuring 12 ½ inches by 8 ½ inches, is one of more than 1,000 premium lots scheduled to come up for bid, all pulled from prominent local estates and collections and including original artworks by noted listed artists, Asian objects, watches and estate jewelry, vintage automobiles, Fabergé items, fine glass pieces and decorative accessories.

In 1952, de Kooning temporarily paused on his large painting Woman I and took refuge at his summer home in Easthampton, N.Y., where he produced pastel figural works that revisited the form in Woman I. These drawings aided in the development of that seminal painting. The one being auctioned is a fine example of de Kooning’s aggressive and loose handling of the medium.

Its origins certainly suggest it is from this time period and, given the bold color palette and form, possibly served as a study for another de Kooning classic, Marilyn Monroe (1954). That work is currently housed at the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase, N.Y. The signed pastel being sold was shown last year at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. It is expected to bring $700,000-$900,000.

Two other lots are expected to hit or exceed $100,000. The first is an Old Master oil on canvas portrait titled Portrait of Archbishop Laud, from the studio of Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Dutch, 1599-1642). The work, circa 1637-1638, is 48 ¼ inches by 38 inches (minus the frame). Laud (Eng., 1573-1645) was a clergyman and academic. The portrait should hit $100,000-$150,000.

The second is a beautiful and rare 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera Cabriolet sports car with just 61,000 original miles on the odometer. The two-owner car, with white exterior and black leather interior, is expected to roar off for $80,000-$120,000. Also being sold is an adorable 1956 red and white Nash Metropolitan hardtop car – originally marketed to women (est. $8,000-$12,000).

Several pieces by the famous Russian maker Fabergé, all circa 1890-1900, will come up for bid. These include an extremely fine and diminutive two-color gold mounted and gem set nephrite jade frame, of triangular form and with a hardstone body (est. $20,000-$40,000); and a pair of floral brooches, one turquoise and diamond, one jeweled and guilloche (both est. $6,000-$8,000).

Asian objects, always a hit with collectors, will feature a two-panel folding screen with ink and color on paper, unsigned and attributed to Miyagawa Chosun (Jap., 1682-1752), titled Pleasure District (est. $10,000-$20,000); a Chinese Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) Longquan meiping form celadon octagonal vase, 16 ½ inches tall (est. $8,000-$12,000); and a Chinese famille rose teapot with Piaquing period mark (1796-1820), 4 ¾ inches tall, finely enameled (est. $5,000-$10,000).

Fine jewelry is another surefire crowd-pleaser. Star lots will feature a stunning cast, assembled and hand-fabricated 18kt yellow and white gold necklace with 29 natural yellow cushion, pear-shaped diamonds (est. $60,000-$80,000); and a men’s Patek Philippe 5015 J Power Reserve moon phase watch with 18kt yellow gold case and automatic movement (est. $25,000-$35,000).

Rolex watches will also be sold, to include a men’s Rolex 18kt gold “Paul Newman” Daytona Oyster Perpetual chronometer watch with large 18kt yellow gold case with the original Rolex alligator strap (est. $20,000-$40,000); and a ladies’ Rolex 18kt white gold “Masterpiece” watch with mother of pearl circular clock face and diamond bezel, circa 2001 (est. $25,000-$35,000).

A very rare Émile Gallé (Fr., 1846-1904) three-tiered cameo glass dessert stand, carved with multi-layered blue and violet flowers on a yellow amber ground, 28 ¾ inches tall, is expected to realize $20,000-$40,000; while an early 20th century English Royal Worcester reticulated ewer (narrow-neck jug), by George Owen and Harry Chair, 6 ¾ inches tall, should hit $7,000-$9,000.

Returning to fine art, works by American painters will include an 1871 oil on canvas signed by the Hudson River School artist William Sonntag (Oh./N.Y., 1822), titled Mountain Vista (est. $20,000-$40,000); and an oil on canvas by Emil Carlsen (Am./Denm., 1848-1932), titled Still Life With Silver Goblet & Flowers, 27 ½ inches by 23 ½ inches framed (est. $15,000-$30,000).

French paintings will feature a signed 1924 street scene by Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955), titled Monsieur Perrot, pastel on paper, laid down to a later pink sheet, signed and dated (est. $15,000-$30,000); and a figural oil on wood panel by Narcisse-Virgil Diaz de la Pena (1807-1876), titled Gypsy Mother & Child with Dog, signed and dated (1875) lower right (est. $10,000-$20,000).

Two European paintings each carry pre-sale estimates of $10,000-$20,000. The first is an oil on board, signed lower right by Leon Wyczolkowski (Pol., 1852-1936), titled Floral Still Life, 16 inches by 11 inches framed. The second is an oil on canvas attributed to Carl Spitzweg (Germ., 1808-1885), titled Der Kakstusfreund (“The Cactus Friend”), 22 inches by 16 ¼ inches framed.

Rounding out just some of the auction’s expected top lots are a late 18th century American Queen Anne cherry highboy (two-part chest of drawers), possibly the Wethesfield School, 70 inches tall (est. $12,000-$18,000); a French 19th century ormolu mounted Boulle marquetry and brass inlaid bracket clock, in the manner of Raymond Lenoir of Paris (est. $7,000-$9,000); and a circa 1890 Navajo chief’s third phase or 9-spot pattern blanket, 80 inches by 54 inches (est. $7,000-$9,000).

Previews will be held Wednesday and Thursday, April 29-30, from 10-6, and Friday, May 1, from 10-2. An evening wine and cheese preview party will be held Thursday, April 30, until 9 p.m. Doors will open both auction days at 10 a.m., with the first gavel falling at 11 a.m. Phone and absentee bids will be accepted up to 24 hours prior to the official start of sale on May 2nd.