Early Sculptures by John Chamberlain and Fritz Koenig Lead Swann’s Modern & Post-War Art Sale

The upcoming Modern & Post-War Art sale from Swann Auction Galleries particularly highlights American Surrealist works from the collection of Philip J. and Suzanne Schiller, as well as modern sculpture. Leading the sale is an untitled steel rod sculpture by American artist John Chamberlain. He turned to art after serving in the US Navy in the 1940s and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago in the early 1950s. Inspired by the Abstract Expressionist movement, Chamberlain favored raw metal and industrial materials for his works. The offered sculpture dates from this early period of Chamberlain’s career. Its steel rods are twisted in geometric shapes that emphasize the sculpture’s airiness and negative space. Another notable sculpture in the catalog is Fritz Koenig’s Quadriga, a bronze work from 1959. 

Among visual artworks in the catalog, a street scene by Max Ernst is notable. Saint Satyre, Priez pour nous (Saint Satyr, Pray for us) is a pencil, gouache, and watercolor collage on illustration board. City buildings are layered on top of each other, accented by striped awnings and line shading. On the right side of the composition, a caricatured Black face appears over a window. Ernst, a German artist associated with the Dada and Surrealist movements, explored irrationality in his work after facing the horrors of World War I. Other key post-war artworks in the catalog include Edith Schloss’ Untitled (West Window, Red Cup), James Daugherty’s The Sun is but a Morning Star, and Janice Biala’s Untitled (Interior with Blue Kettle). To browse the complete Modern & Post-War Art catalog and register to bid, visit Swann Auction Galleries.