20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale Morning Session

One of Sam Gilliam’s hallmark “drape paintings”  is available in the upcoming auction presented by Phillips Auction. Widening the limits of paintings, his work goes beyond the canvas. His stained fabric works resembling tie-dye are regarded as a major step in the development of American art. 

The Morning Session of the 20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale features many mediums, from sculptures to abstract paintings. Among them, La France Open by Robert Motherwell stands out. Motherwell’s work is generally characterized by simple shapes, broad color contrasts, and gestural brushstrokes. This acrylic and charcoal on canvas piece was made around 1985. Roy Lichtenstein’s Brushstroke Head-IV bronze sculpture is of particular interest. A deconstructed female face emerges as the observer walks around the sculpture, and Ben-Day dots form eyelashes, an elongated nose, and pouting lips. Explore the full catalog of art and register to bid online on Phillips.