Milton Avery Painting and Paul Dupré-Lafon Desk Offered by Palm Beach Modern Auctions

Palm Beach Modern Auctions will offer Red Rug by Milton Avery as a leading lot. It was painted and signed by the artist/designer in 1958. Milton Avery (American, 1885 – 1965) was “our greatest colorist,” wrote American art critic Hilton Kramer in a 1981 article. Avery often traveled to different places with his wife and daughter, looking for new vistas to paint. His human forms, like the one in the offered painting, would often fuse with and mimic their surroundings. This piece was part of the collection of Mrs. Barbara Schlang in Florida. She purchased the painting at Milton and Sally Michel Avery’s New York home later in the artist’s life. Mrs. Schlang recalls that Sally Michel answered the door and advised that Milton was not well and was resting. She entered the bedroom, selected this work, and asked “Do you like this one?” The work has remained in Mrs. Schlang’s collection until now. 

Among furniture, the sale offers a Paul Dupré-Lafon desk. Dupré-Lafon (French, 1900 – 1971) was often called the “decorator of millionaires.” He designed and created high-quality Art Deco furnishings for the Parisian elite and made a name for himself. He was said to be inspired by Cubism. Dupré-Lafon expertly incorporated geometric and functional aspects into his pieces.
The offered desk has a mahogany top with leather, parchment, and bronze on its skirts and legs.
The desk has six drawers, three writing platforms that slide out from underneath the desktop, and two inset compartments with sliding covers. The auction also offers a bronze Menina sculpture by Spanish artist Manolo Valdés (b. 1942). Visit Bidsquare to browse the Modern + Contemporary Art, Design & Luxury – Spring 2024 sale and other online auctions.