|
|
|
Frank's Picks
Frank Hettig | Vice President, Modern & Contemporary Art
|
I interviewed and wrote many times about the intriguing works by John Baldessari for various magazines and museum catalogs.
“Two Figures: One Leaping, One Reacting” from 2005 is from the exceptional small edition of 40.
The juxtaposition of two figures—a ‘falling’ or ‘escaping’ phantom and an ‘individual’—embodies the artist's interest in creating narratives through fragmented or ambiguous visual moments. While it’s not explicitly documented whether this particular image came from a film, Baldessari often drew from cinematic sources. Baldessari's use of color is bold and deliberate. He frequently employed vibrant, flat colors to mask or obscure details in his imagery, particularly in his photographic collages. Through these elements, he creates a unique visual language that emphasizes abstraction, fragmentation, and viewer engagement.
|
|
Keith Haring’s prints are instantly recognizable for their bold, flat colors, which play a crucial role in defining his iconic style.
In Haring’s work, the dog can be interpreted as a playful, almost cartoonish figure, but it also carries deeper layers of meaning. It can represent loyalty, vigilance, or protection, reflecting the artist’s concern with social and political issues. The dog is often depicted mid-bark, with lines radiating from its open mouth, symbolizing communication, authority, or resistance.
|
|
|
Holly's Picks
Holly Sherratt | Director, Modern & Contemporary Art
|
I am pleased to highlight Louise Nevelson and Vija Celmins, two groundbreaking female printmakers whose innovative approaches have profoundly influenced the art world.
Louise Nevelson’s Sky Gate I (1982), a cast paper relief published by Pace Editions, exemplifies her ability to merge sculptural concepts with inventive printmaking techniques. By pressing wet paper pulp into molds, she created textured, raised surfaces that translate the structural depth and dynamic light-and-shadow contrasts of her monochromatic assemblages into a two-dimensional medium. Reflecting her fascination with cosmic themes, the title suggests a gateway between earthly and celestial realms. Nevelson’s pioneering approach expanded the boundaries of printmaking, demonstrating her enduring influence as both a sculptor and printmaker.
Vija Celmins is celebrated for her meticulous depictions of natural phenomena, such as oceans, night skies, and desert surfaces, which evoke meditative reflections on infinity and the sublime. Her drypoint print Ocean Surface demonstrates her technical mastery, with precisely incised lines creating delicate burrs that produce velvety textures and subtle tonal variations. Inspired by photographic studies, Celmins captures the ocean’s undulating surface with remarkable care, transforming fleeting natural beauty into timeless, contemplative art. Together, these artists exemplify the innovative possibilities of printmaking.
|
|
Desiree's Picks
Desiree Pakravan | Consignment Director, Modern & Contemporary Art
|
Out of the many Picasso ceramics in this auction, this pitcher is one of my favorites. It is a striking example of Picasso’s breadth of ceramics, blending functional forms with artistic innovation. Created during his prolific years at the Madoura Pottery workshop, this piece reflects the artist’s fascination with Spanish culture and traditional pottery. The pitcher, with its bold, simplified lines and expressive motifs, abstracts what may be a female figure and a bird, the hands serving as the feet of a bird. Picasso’s playful reimagining of form and decoration demonstrates his ability to infuse modernist creativity into age-old crafts, making this both an homage to tradition and a testament to his revolutionary artistic vision.
|
|
This lithograph showcases Johns’ exploration of form and perception, challenging the traditional boundaries of painting and sculpture. By incorporating hinged panels into his canvases, Johns introduces physical movement and dimensionality to the artwork, transforming it from a static object into something dynamic and interactive. This innovation reflects his broader interest in questioning artistic conventions and inviting viewers to reconsider their relationship with art. The hinged elements add layers of meaning, blurring the lines between surface, space, and object, and exemplifying Johns’ role as a key figure in pushing the limits of modern art.
|
|
|
Becky's Picks
Becky Lax | Associate, Prints & Multiples
|
|
Renowned for her “soak-stain” abstract paintings, Helen Frankenthaler (1928–2011) played a pivotal role in Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting. A key figure in 20th-century American art, her six-decade career solidified her as one of the most influential artists of her time. Frankenthaler’s artistic education began at the Dalton School in New York, where she studied under the renowned artist Rufino Tamayo. She then attended Bennington College (class of 1949), where she was mentored by Paul Feeley and later studied with Hans Hofmann.
Tout-à-Coup is a major achievement in overscale color etching, showcasing Frankenthaler’s sophisticated aquatint techniques. The print was produced in close collaboration with 2RC Edizioni d’Arte, a master printer and publisher, with Frankenthaler actively involved in the process. She brought a deep understanding of chemistry and technique to her print projects, working alongside the world’s top printers. This striking example of her poured and brushed abstraction reveals her unique iconography and stands as a testament to her mastery in the medium.
|
|
|
Carmen Herrera (May 31, 1915 - February 12, 2022) was a Cuban-born American painter and minimalist abstract artist. Born in Havana, she trained as an architect before moving to New York City in the mid-1940s. Herrera's abstract work brought her international recognition later in life,
and she continued to explore minimalist abstraction until her death at age 106. In New York, she studied at the Art Students League and took printmaking classes at the Brooklyn Museum. Despite her talent, her work went largely unrecognized for decades, often compared to artists like Lygia Clark, Barnett Newman, Ellsworth Kelly, and Hélio Oiticica.
Herrera's breakthrough came in 2004, when her close friend Tony Bechara introduced her to the Latin Collector gallery in Manhattan. This connection led to her inclusion in the landmark exhibition Concrete Realities: Carmen Herrera, Fanny Sanín, Mira Schendel, which spotlighted underrecognized female geometric painters. The featured prints in this set evoke triangular, tree-like shapes marching through warm ground colors, transitioning from yellow to red. This series is part of a very limited edition of 14.
|
|
|
Walter's Pick
Walter Ramirez | Consignment Director, Urban Art
|
Keith Haring’s Pop Shop II (1988) is a portfolio of four screenprints by Keith Haring that continued his groundbreaking effort to make art accessible and inclusive. Released by Martin Lawrence Editions, the portfolio consists of four colorful works, each featuring the classic Haring figures dancing and moving around in ways only done by Keith Haring himself. Pop Shop II builds on the concept of Haring's earlier Pop Shop, emphasizing the fusion of fine art and popular culture and making Haring's work available to a wider, more diverse audience while still maintaining his most iconic figures upfront. Through this series, Haring challenged traditional boundaries in the art world, reinforcing his belief that art should be for everyone.
|
|
|
Taylor's Pick
Taylor Curry | Director, Modern & Contemporary Art
|
This iconic piece, featuring the instantly recognizable "Standard" gas station, is a quintessential example of Ed Ruscha's exploration of American culture and consumerism. A master of capturing the mundane with a striking sense of clarity and irony, Ruscha elevates this everyday scene into a work of art that speaks to larger themes of industrialization, signage, and modernity. The precise geometry and subtle gradients of the background evoke a cinematic quality, imbuing the image with a sense of nostalgia and timelessness. It’s one of my favorite lots in the sale; the simplicity and depth of the work make it remarkable. For collectors, this piece embodies Ruscha's unparalleled ability to transform familiar symbols into profound visual statements, making it an essential addition to
any collection of contemporary art.
|
|
|
Taylor's Picks
Taylor Gattinella | Consignment Director, Modern & Contemporary Art
|
Between 1947 and 1971, Picasso created over 600 unique ceramic designs, showcasing his versatility and playful creativity. Working with clay allowed him to turn everyday objects like plates and pitchers into captivating sculptures. These colorful and often whimsical objects reflect his enjoyment of, and deep connection to, his time at the Madoura Pottery studio in the South of France. Choosing a favorite from the collection of Picasso ceramics in our December 10th auction is no easy task. With such a wide variety, there’s something for every collector, including many of Picasso’s iconic motifs, like owls, faces, and bullfighters.
|
|
|
Frank Hettig
Vice President, Modern &
Contemporary Art
FrankH@HA.com
(214) 409-1157
|
|
|
Holly Sherratt
Director, Modern &
Contemporary Art
HollyS@HA.com
(415) 548-5921
|
|
|
Desiree Pakravan
Consignment Director,
Modern & Contemporary Art
DesireeP@HA.com
(310) 492-8621
|
|
|
Becky Lax
Associate, Prints & Multiples
BeckyL@HA.com
(212) 486-3736
|
|
|
Walter Ramirez
Consignment Director,
Urban Art
WalterR@HA.com
(212) 486-3521
|
|
|
Taylor Curry
Director, Modern &
Contemporary Art
TaylorC@HA.com
(212) 486-3503
|
|
|
|
Taylor Gattinella
Consignment Director,
Modern & Contemporary Art
TaylorG@HA.com
(212) 486-3681
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
