Rago Presents Works by Christo, Rauschenberg, and Calder From Prominent Philadelphia Collectors

Rago will soon present its 139-lot auction of items from the Acey and Bill Wolgin Collection. The Wolgins were prominent art patrons who personally knew many of the artists whose work they collected, from Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns to Arman and Robert Rauschenberg. The couple also helped establish Philadelphia as a destination for modern and contemporary art, in part through Acey’s role as a Trustee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This upcoming auction includes several important works from the Wolgin Collection, including a red mobile by Alexander Calder. The 1964 sheet metal, brass, wire, and paint work is titled Red Tail. Fittingly, a red leaf-shaped counterweight balances a cascade of red wire and white circles. Another notable lot in the sale is Robert Rauschenberg’s Anemone, a 1978 solvent transfer on fabric collage. Imagery in the work includes a croaking frog, a helicopter flying over water, and a fork and spoon resting in a bowl. 

A wide variety of artist-made jewelry is also on offer in this event. Artists represented in this section of the catalog include Claes Oldenburg, Marisol, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Robert Indiana, and Louise Nevelson. Another notable lot is a pencil, fabric, and paper collage by Christo. This 1972 planning piece depicts the artist’s Valley Curtain installation, which would eventually be installed near Rifle, Colorado. The enormous orange fabric curtain hung for just 28 hours. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in The Bill and Acey Wolgin Collection sale, visit Rago’s website.