Picasso, Koons, Warhol lead Prints & Multiples Auction at Bonhams

PanARMENIAN.Net - Bonhams presents the Modern & Contemporary Prints & Multiples auction, offering more than 120 important selections of works by prominent 19th and 20th century artists, taking place on June 7 in New York, Art Daily reports.

A scarce etching, an experimental impression in colors by American painter and printmaker Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), called On the Balcony (1889) will be on the auction block with an estimate of U.S. $20,000-30,000. Popularly known for depicting female figures in social and private settings, Cassatt is believed to have been introduced to printmaking by her close collaborator, French Impressionist Edgar Degas.

“The Modern & Contemporary Prints & Multiples sale covers a wide breadth of work by masters ranging from Picasso to Jeff Koons. The sale, although eclectic, is bound together by the singularity that the works represent some of the most widely-recognized and desirable images produced by the greatest master printmakers and art icons of the last 100 plus years,” said Specialist of Prints & Photos Shawna Brickley.

A leading lot is Pablo Picasso’s Après la Pique (estimate U.S. $40,000-60,000), an impressive linoleum cut in brown and black that captures the very climax of a bullfight. This linocut, along with Picador et Torero (estimate U.S. $25,000-35,000), are each from the edition of 50. In all, the auction includes 10 important graphic works by Picasso and five Madoura ceramics.

Another sale highlight is Reflections in Soda Fountain (estimate U.S. $40,000-60,000) by American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. The 1991 lithograph with charming pastel colors is from an edition of 50, co-published by the artist. The artist’s Cubist Cello, with an estimate of U.S. $15,000-20,000, is also in the sale. It is signed by his wife Dorothy Lichtenstein and dated 1998, the year after the artist’s death. Lichtenstein’s Blue Chair, also appears in the sale, included in the Leo Castelli 90th Birthday Portfolio.

A special offering, the complete Leo Castelli 90th Birthday Portfolio includes nine graphic works from artists including Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Ellsworth Kelly, Edward Ruscha and Robert Rauschenberg, among others. Famed art dealer Leo Castelli opened the doors of his Upper East Side gallery in 1957 and worked with each of the artists represented in this comprehensive collection. The Birthday Portfolio is estimated at U.S. $40,000-60,000.

Celebrated portrait artist Chuck Close has donated Obama (II), 2012 a large-scale, archival watercolor pigment print portrait of the American President. Estimated at U.S. $20,000-30,000, proceeds will benefit Greenpop, a dynamic reforestation and environmental education organization based in southern Africa. Another of the artist’s work on offer is Self-Portrait, standing 66.5 inches tall and estimated at U.S. $20,000-30,000.

This notable grouping of works traces the history of printmaking processes through the centuries by showcasing works of extraordinary artists and selectively shining a light on the pioneers of leading artistic genres.

Other auction highlights include:

- Jeff Koons, Dom Pérignon Balloon Venus (Magenta), 2013 (estimate U.S. $30,000-50,000). One of the distinct lacquered resin balloon sculptures by Koons, this two-part form depicts the Roman goddess of beauty and desire, Venus. It comes in the original custom trunk with the presentation box and maintenance kit.

- An excellent grouping of works by Andy Warhol, including perhaps the most iconic portrait Liz (estimate U.S. $30,000-50,000), Tomato Soup, Flowers, Poinsettias, Dracula (from Myths), and Indian Head Nickel (from Cowboys and Indians).