RELEASE: Small is Beautiful, The Art of Sculpture, 6-20 October 2015
PRESS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL: THE ART OF SCULPTURE
6-20 October 2015
London – Christie’s is pleased to announce Small is Beautiful, the second annual online sale of its kind, which is now live until 20 October 2015, and offers discerning collectors the opportunity to buy quality works with accessible prices across categories. For the first time, the sale combines works of art that are united in size and in quality of craftsmanship, from the Impressionist and Modern, Post War and Contemporary, Modern British, Latin American and Antiquities categories. Estimates range from $800 to $120,000.
The Impressionist and Modern lots in the sale include a rare bronze by Henri Matisse and a highly important work by Alexander Archipenko. Woman Combing Her Hair is one of the artist's most well-known works, and the sale offers what is currently the earliest recorded bronze cast of the subject, exhibited in Berlin in 1922 (Illustrated above centre). The work has been in the same family ownership since acquired in the 1920s. Further Impressionist & Modern lots include a selection of works by German artists such as Ewald Matare, Georg Kolbe and Christoph Voll. Works by Voll rarely appear at auction, and this sale offers a unique marble by the artist, Akt mit Tuch, the first to appear at auction for over 30 years, having remained in the artist's family (estimate: $20,000 – $30,000, illustrated left).
The Modern British lots in the sale are led by two Henry Moore bronzes from the Collection of the family of Harry A. Brooks*. The most important of these is the unique Small Helmet Head bronze created by Moore in 1950 and exhibited in his important retrospective at the Royal Academy in 1988 (illustrated top right). It has been in the Brooks family collection for almost 60 years. In line with last year's Small is Beautiful sale, Christie's is offering our international clients works by contemporary British artists including Giles Penny, Sophie Ryder and Emily Young.
The Post-War and Contemporary lots in the sale are led by an iconic Chillida Lurra terracotta (estimate: $100,000 – $150,000, illustrated left) and a stunning bronze by the Polish artist Igor Mitoraj (estimate: $80,000 – $120,000). In 2010, Christie's offered ten bronzes by the artist as part of the sale entitled: A View from the Spanish Steps - The Collection of Maria Angiolillo and brought the artist's work to a new international audience, with all works far outselling estimates. Following the artist's passing in 2014 interest has continued to grow with exhibitions recently in Italy, including a large exhibition of monumental works in Pisa in 2014. The sale also includes a unique and rare 1960s paint tubes Accumulation by Arman.
Works by Latin American artists have seen increasing interest from international collectors for some time and those featured in the sale include exceptional pieces from modern and contemporary masters spanning the entire region. Leading the selection are rare and small-scale works ranging from the figurative to the abstract. Highlights include one of the only sculptures ever created by Cuban vanguard artist Mario Carreño, a wall-relief from Venezuelan-born leading kinetic artist Jesús Rafael Soto, and a unique marble tabletop sculpture by Uruguayan contemporary artist Pablo Atchugarry ($25,000 - $35,000, illustrated left). Also included are beautiful pieces by modern and contemporary Mexican masters Francisco Zúñiga, Matias Goeritz, and Francisco Toledo.
Editor’s notes:
*Several lots in the sale are offered from the Collection of Harry A. Brooks, a close friend of Henry Moore, who had a long and distinguished career in the New York art world. Having served in the US Army during the Second World War, when he was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Ribbon, Brooks embarked upon his career as an art dealer, joining E. Coe Kerr Gallery in New York, before moving to Knoedler & Co., where he worked for 21 years. In 1968 Brooks joined Wildenstein & Co. as Vice President and later President, before retiring in 1990. A graduate from Princeton University, he served on the Board of Directors at the University's Art Museum, as well as at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, NY. Brooks passed away on 2 June 2000, aged 87.
A feature on Christie’s Daily can be found here:
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About Christie’s
Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in the first half of 2015 that totalled £2.9 billion / $4.5 billion. In 2014, Christie’s had global auction and private sales 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.
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, 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 Beijing, 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.