Miró, Chagall, Hodler, de Chirico and Warhol lead Koller’s July auctions

ZURICH.- Three works by Joan Miró will be offered in the 3 July Impressionist & Modern Art auction, including the panoramic-format oil on canvas simply entitled “Painting”, 1953 (lot 3530, CHF 480 000/550 000). Along with “Solitude II/III” and “Tête 1” (lots 3527 and 3533, CHF 320 000/380 000 and 180 000/240 000), these works illustrate the master’s complex use of numerical and alphabetic signs, and his very particular brand of lyrical abstraction.

The deserted city square painted by Giorgio de Chirico in “Piazza d’Italia”, 1945-49, is by now a familiar sight for most of us, but it was a recurring theme for de Chirico throughout his long career (lot 3553, CHF 100 000/150 000). Another theme which has been in the foreground in recent weeks is the private garden, and several works in the 3 July auction depict artists’ gardens, including German Impressionist Max Liebermann’s charming “Garden with potted palm and two feminine figures”, 1908 (lot 3508, CHF 300 000/500 000).

Swiss Art, 4 July 2020
The auction of Swiss Art on 3 July presents works by Swiss masters such as Albert Anker, Ferdinand Hodler, Cuno Amiet, Giovanni and Augusto Giacometti, Adolf Dietrich, Felix Vallotton and Varlin. An important work by Cuno Amiet, “Mother and Child”, painted in 1899 (lot 3322, CHF 380 000/480 000), was originally painted for the art collector Oscar Miller. It later hung in Amiet’s dining room for many years before being acquired by collector Willy Russ-Young in 1928. For almost 90 years it was considered missing, until it was recently rediscovered in a private collection. A portrait of Susanna Michel-Mühlemann, 1903, reflects both Amiet’s time spent in Pont-Aven and the influence of the Art Nouveau style (lot 3326, CHF 90 000/150 000).

A head study for Ferdinand Hodler’s iconic work “View to infinity” offers a fascinating glimpse into the artist’s quest to depict the faraway gazes of the painting’s models (lot 3330, CHF 160 000/220 000). Another garden motif is vividly present in Giovanni Giacometti’s light-filled painting “Mattino d’estate” (Summer morning), 1924 (lot 3333, CHF 120 000/180 000).

PostWar & Contemporary
The PostWar & Contemporary and Prints & Multiples auctions on 4 July feature a number of interesting works by Andy Warhol, headed by his portrait of socialite Lola Jacobson, 1985 (lot 3752, CHF 180 000/240 000). This is a unique work, with synthetic polymer and silkscreen inks on canvas. Another one-off by Warhol in the sale is his black-and-white “B/W Ads (Are you ‘Different’)”, 1985/86 (lot 3767, CHF 50 000/70 000). In the Prints & Multiples sale on 4 July there are further Warhols, including a striking “Dracula”, 1981 (lot 3865, CHF 40 000/60 000).

Works by Marc Tobey have been particularly sought-after recently, and among the seven works by the artist in this sale is an untitled tempera painting from 1960 (lot 3710, CHF 60 000/80 000). A scrap-metal sculpture by John Chamberlain, “Grass skirt opus”, 2002, makes a powerful statement (lot 3737, CHF 100 000/150 000), as does in its own manner a watercolour on wrapping paper by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, “Der gelbe Platz” (The yellow square), 1958 (lot 3724, CHF 120 000/180 000).

The highlight of the Photography sale, to be held online from 23 June – 8 July in Koller‘s “ibid online only” auctions, is a 1984 C-print by Richard Prince, from his iconic “Cowboys” series (lot 8833, CHF 30 000/50 000). The Design, Vintage Fashion and Art Nouveau/Art Deco auctions will also be held online from 23 June to 8/9 July.