Outstanding Masterworks by Major Pop Art Artists on Sale at Artnet Auctions

NEW YORK, NY.- Artnet Auctions presents “Masterworks by Pop Artists,” a selection of important Pop paintings, prints, and sculptures by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Mel Ramos, Tom Wesselmann, Robert Rauschenberg, and other top Pop artists.

A highlight of the sale, an extremely rare Andy Warhol painting in brilliant tones of blue and green entitled Flowers, 1978, 22 x 22 inches, is expected to fetch between US$1,100,000–1,500,000. In a private collection since 1995, it is one of only four Flowers paintings from this period recorded by The Andy Warhol Foundation archive. Also of great interest is an exceptionally beautiful John Chamberlain painted and chromium-plated steel sculpture entitled Mrs. Yif Nif, 1986, (Est. US$3,000,000–3,500,000). Measuring 77 x 56 x 35 inches, this commanding work comes from the prestigious Douglas Cramer collection.

Two outstanding works on paper by the artist Robert Rauschenberg are also included in the sale. Anagrams-Casino, 1996, is a monumental vegetable dye transfer. This work is considered a prime example of the artist’s transfer method, with images shifting back and forth between abstraction and representation (Est. US$550,000–700,000). The second Rauschenberg, Untitled, 1978, is a mixed-media collage (Est. US$75,000–85,000). Given by the artist to the current owner, the piece is filled with autobiographical references including the seemingly random image of a tire. When asked why he included this, Rauschenberg replied that it was through cars—tires—that he was able to get out of his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas.

Highlights of the auction are two exquisite oils on canvas by Tom Wesselmann. Study for GAN #96 (Tit Version), 1967, (Est. US$180,000–220,000), shows the artist exploring his iconic subject the Great American Nude, which he abbreviated as GAN. Ten years later, the artist created Study for Bedroom Painting, 1977, (Est. US$190,000–210,000). This pop artwork is from a landmark series in which the artist altered the composition of his Bedroom Paintings, with the foreground dominated by a woman’s face, but still undeniably a nude.

The sale also includes Roy Lichtenstein’s iconic Pop Art print, Sweet Dreams Baby, 1965. This highly desirable print, in impeccable condition, with brilliant reds and yellows, is estimated at US$100,000–120,000.

Rounding out the sale is a large atmospheric acrylic on canvas by the rediscovered Pop artist, John Wesley. Night Landing, 1983, (Est. US$200,000–250,000), highlights the artist’s reductive palette and exaggerated perspective that make him highly sought after by both Pop and Contemporary Art collectors alike.

Find these and other Pop artworks in the sale on artnet Auctions: http://www.artnet.com/auctions/pop-masterworks

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