Axis Art Advisory

Guidance of Acquisitions and Sale of Works of Art

Christie’s London Evening Sale of Post-War & Contemporary Art

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Christie’s Evening Sale of Post-War & Contemporary Art in London on October 6 will showcase works by the world’s most celebrated and important artists.

Two works by Francis Bacon “Study of Red Pope 1962, 2nd Version 1971” is a tour de force by the artist and  will surely command a stratospheric price.  In addition, a portrait titled “Head with Raised Arm” is estimated to sell between 7,000,000-10,000,000 BP.

A masterpiece by Scottish artist Peter Doig,  “Camp Forestia” an oil painting from 1966, carries an estimate of 14,000,000-18,000,000 BP.  There is also an exceptional piece “Red Skull” by Jean-Michel Basquiat that will be much sought after for certain.

There are other first rate works by Howard Hodgkin,  George Baselitz, a knockout sculpture by Antony Gormley, Adrian Ghenie, Anselm Kiefer, Albert Oehlen, Cecily Brown, Damien Hirst, and many more.

Other personal favorites are two works by British artist Hurvin Anderson.

This is a sale worth following, as records are sure to be broken on October 6.

Hurvin Anderson “Mount Royal”

Basquiat “Red Skull”

Francis Bacon “Red Pope”

Peter Doig “Camp Forestia”

Christie’s to offer 6 works by Modern Master Henry Moore

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On June 16th, Christie’s will hold their Evening Sale of Modern British and Irish Art.  Among the 54 lots are 6 pieces by the great Henry Moore- 3 sculptures and 3 works on paper.

Pictured left is one of the artist’s famed “Family Group” pieces. This bronze with green patina was cast in an edition of 4 in 1946 is offered at 1.5-2.5 British Pounds.

Below is a drawing titled “Seated Figures” from 1940 consisting of watercolor, ink, wax resist and colored crayon. Auction estimate is 180-250,000 British Pounds.

 

WORKS BY JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT FEATURED IN MAY AUCTIONS AT CHRISTIE’S AND SOTHEBY’S

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Auction House giants Christie’s and Sotheby’s will each be selling five works of art by famed graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in their Evening Sales of Post-War and Contemporary Art next month in New York.

Kicking off the week at Christie’s May 17th Evening sale,  Basquiat’s explosive “La Hara”, (below left) acrylic and oil stick on wood panel from 1981.  This powerful work carries an auction estimate of $22-28,000,000 and is rich in symbolism from both the artist’s black and Puerto Rican heritage.  Also in the sale is the large and imposing  portrait of “Elaine” acrylic, oilstick and Xerox collage on canvas from 1985.

On May 18th, Sotheby’s will offer an untitled, extraordinary masterpiece from 1982, which is one of the few monumental works still in private hands. This brilliant work of art is estimated in excess of $60 million.

Lichtenstein to be showcased at Spring Auctions

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Both Christie’s and Sotheby’s will offer important works by Pop Art icon  Roy Lichtenstein next month in New York.

Christie’s May 17th Evening Sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art will feature “Red and White Brushstroke” from 1965 (estimate $25,000,000-35,000,000).  This piece has never been offered at auction before and is one of only a few canvases from the artist’s Brushstroke series, one of the most significant bodies of work of Lichtenstein’s prolific career.  The picture below is from Christie’s Deputy Chairman Loic Gouzer’s instagram.

Sotheby’s has a vibrant late painting by the artist “Nude Sunbathing” from 1995 (estimate $20,000,000+) that will be sold on May 18th in their Contemporary Art Evening Sale. This bold work adorned with the artist’s signature Benday dots.

Lichtenstein has enjoyed great popularity at auction for both paintings and prints and has brought some of the art world’s highest prices.

 

SPIEGEL COLLECTION TO BE SOLD AT CHRISTIE’S

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Works of art from the famed Emily & Jerry Spiegel Collection will be offered for sale at Christie’s Post-War & Contemporary Evening and Day sales on May 17 & 18. The Spiegels amassed  extraordinary holdings, including works by noteworthy artists like Jeff Koons, Sigmar Polke, Anselm Kiefer and Christopher Wool among others.

In addition so the outstanding Post-War and Contemporary paintings, the Spiegels had a stellar photographs collection, including pieces by Paul Outerbridge, Edward Steichen and Diane Arbus.  The photographs will be sold at a dedicated auction in October.

Among the twenty five pictures to be auctioned on May 17th include Sigmar Polke’s “Woman with Buttered Bread” from 1964 (pictured below) is estimated at approximately $20 million and Andy Warhol’s pink silkscreen from 1986 depicting Leonardo Di Vinci’s Last Supper (also pictured below).

CHRISTIE’S TO OFFER SIGNATURE WORKS BY WARHOL

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Christie’s will hold its Spring Sale of Prints in New York on April 19 and 20 in New York.  Featured in the sale are many outstanding works by Andy Warhol to be sold on the 20th during the Post-War and Contemporary Prints section.  Among the works are several Campbell Soup Cans and multiple prints of Mick Jagger.  The complete set of 10 screenprints from the “Myths” series from 1981 (featuring Mickey Mouse below)  and the complete set of 10 screenprints from the “Cowboys and Indians” set from 1986 are also included in the sale.  Also, below is the 1986 screenprint “Paramount” from Ads.

Phillips to Sell Important Photographs Collection

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On April 3rd and 4th, Phillips will have two terrific auctions titled “The Odyssey of Collecting: Photographs from Joy of Giving Something Foundation.” The Evening Sale on April 3rd will offer 43 outstanding images from the world’s most celebrated photographers of the early and mid 20th Century. Included in the sale are works by Ansel Adams, Robert Frank, Laslo Maholy-Nagy, Edward Steichen and Gustave Gray just to name a few.

The Day Sale on April 4th will showcase 184 additional images, which will include many noteworthy photographers such as Andres Kertesz, Edward Weston, Paul Strand, Berenice Abbott, Dora Marr and Walker Evans. This is a really superb collection and is definitely worth taking a look at on Phillips website. Pictured here is Robert Frank’s “New York City Candy Store 86th Street” silver gelatin print from 1955.

Christie’s and Sotheby’s News: Asia Art Week and Online Print Sale

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Christie’s Asia Week

Yesterday, Christie’s held an extraordinary sale of Chinese art from the famed Foujita Museum. The 31 lot sale realized a whopping $262,839,999, the highest for any Asian art sale held in the U.S.  Many world records were shattered- most notably a hand scroll from the Qing Dynasty.  “Six Dragons” which was estimated to sell for $1.200,000-$1,800,000, made a staggering $48,976,500 after fierce and competitive bidding.  Among the other record breaking pieces was a Late Shang Dynasty Bronze Ritual Vessel that sold for $37,207,500 (on an estimate of $6-8,000,000.

Sotheby’s Online Print Sale

Tomorrow, Sotheby’s online sale of Prints and Multiples opens. Among the many great pieces that will be in the sale are works by Warhol, Lewitt, Hirst, Indiana and Miro and Haring.  Below is Keith Haring’s “Flowers I from 1990. The sale will continue through March 31.

 

Welcome to AXIS Art Advisory

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I am delighted to announce the opening of Axis Art Advisory.  The new company will offer services to help individuals and institutions make strategic decisions for the sales and acquisitions of works of art. AXIS will primarily serve clients in the great Boston and Palm Beach areas.

I will be blogging regularly with news from the art world, including upcoming auctions (and noteworthy lots), current and future exhibitions in U.S. museums and other germane topics.

A list of services can be found on the Services page.