Bonhams to Make Its Impression on the Recovering Art Market
LONDON.- Bonhams has announced an exciting line-up of works for its Impressionist and Modern Art sale to be held at New Bond Street on Thursday 3 December.
Fighting for position as the sale’s most valuable lot is ‘Gladiatori nell’arena’ by Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978). An oil on canvas dated 1927, the painting is from Leonce Rosenberg’s hugely important collection of the artist’s Gladiator paintings which he housed in his Parisian apartment. Unsurprisingly, for such a significant piece, ‘Gladiatori nell’arena’ has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £600,000-800,000.
A second piece by de Chirico is another sale highlight. This hugely rare sculpture – ‘Manichini coloniali’ – was cast in 1969, during the artist’s lifetime and is expected to achieve £80,000-120,000. It will be joined by two magnificent modernist works by Alberto Burri (1915-1995): the two cellotex paintings (dated 1990 and 1991) are priced at £180,000-200,000 and £140,000-180,000 respectively.
Collectors of Italian art will also be drawn to Gino Severini’s (1833-1966) wool tapestry. The colourful ‘Il Ciclista’ is one of only three authorised by the artist’s daughter, Gina, following Severini’s death. The tapestry was made between 1977-1978 and has been priced at a hugely tempting £15,000-20,000.
The catalogue includes a series of striking sculptures by Salvador Dali (1904-1989), of which his bronze, ‘Winged Triton’ (c1972) is sure to catch the eye of collectors of modern art. At nearly 2 metres high, the sculpture is one of only twelve produced and as such has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £100,000-150,000.
The Impressionist market is similarly well-represented, with works by ‘up and coming’ talent alongside more recognisable names. A series of paintings by Jean Franck Baudoin (1870-1961) are the ideal introduction to Impressionist ownership – his dreamy oil landscapes are estimated between £5,000-15,000. Alongside Baudoin’s work is a late entry to the sale – a charming oil landscape by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919). A stunningly evocative – yet simple – composition, the painting is estimated between £80,000-100,000.
Edward Plackett, Head of Bonhams Impressionist and Modern Art Department comments: “This sale contains a wide variety of Impressionist and Modern art, including sculptures, paintings, watercolours and even a tapestry. There is something for every type of collector from a Renoir oil sketch to a de Chirico painted at the height of the artist’s powers.”
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