Exceptional bronzes and surprising Expressionists

Lempertz invites you to its auction on 5th December, with an outstanding collection of masterpieces of modern sculpture and prominent names from classical modernism and contemporary art.

Alongside Auguste Rodin, Aristide Maillol is considered one of the most important French sculptors of his time. One particular phase of his life was of crucial importance for Maillol as an artist: His collaboration with art dealer Ambroise Vollard, who had Maillol's designs cast by Florentin Godard. This cooperation helped the artist achieve his breakthrough and also marked the style-defining phase of his career. A total of 13 works from this period, which was of pivotal importance both to Maillol and to modern sculpture as a whole, will be auctioned by Lempertz this autumn. Two of these pieces are part of the anniversary auction ‘50 Lots – My Choice’ on 4th December, while the others will be auctioned on 5th December. One example is the ‘Baigneuse debout, deuxième version’.

In contrast to the initial version of this work, in this piece the right arm and head are pointing in the same direction. Collectors appreciate the resulting increased liveliness of the figure (estimated price €60,000–80,000). On a trip to Greece financed by Harry Graf Kessler – one of the most colourful characters in Berlin society – Maillol learned to appreciate ancient sculpture. This impression led to the creation of the ‘Tête du printemps’ as part of the preparation for the four monumental statues ‘Flora’ and ‘Pomona’ as well as ‘Spring’ and ‘Summer’, an early major commission for Maillol. The bronze, with its classically balanced proportions, is estimated at €40,000 to €50,000.

Ernst Barlach is one of Germany's most important modern sculptors. He discovered the technique of bronze casting during the course of his career, encouraged by the gallery owner Alfred Flechtheim. The 'Rächer' (The Avenger) is one of a series of works that Barlach designed between 1907 and 1930 using various techniques, but which were recast in bronze from 1930 onwards. This dynamic and striking sculpture has an estimated price of €40,000 to €60,000.

The sale also features a post-war bronze by Karl Hartung. 'Liegende mit aufgestütztem Haupt' (Reclining Woman with Head Propped Up) belongs to a group of reclining figures created in 1948. This work, originating from the artist's estate, is estimated at €50,000 to €70,000.

Emil Nolde's watercolour painting ‘Eisläufer’ (Ice Skaters) will be sold at auction with the same expectation. He did not find the motif in the vicinity of his home on the coast, but in the Alps. He visited Switzerland in 1924 and 1936, and the landscape there fascinated him as much as that of the North Sea. The watercolour, depicting two ice skaters at dusk, must have been created during one of these stays. His 'Rote Pfingstrosen' (Red Peonies) was also created as a watercolour on Japanese paper around 1925/30. This sheet, formerly owned by the art dealer and patron of Nolde Paul Cassirer, is estimated at €60,000–80,000.

The Contemporary Art auction on 5th December offers classics of the contemporary era: Karel Appel, Emil Schumacher, Peter Brüning, Norbert Bisky. 

William Kentridge is currently the focus of much public attention, with two exhibitions dedicated to his art currently in Dresden and Essen. The Contemporary art auction features one of his works depicting a rhinoceros on stage, with an estimated price of €20,000 to €30,000 (charcoal and pastel on paper, approx. 45.5 x 60.5 cm). Albert Oehlen's untitled work from 2017 features a tree in an original pose. The work in oil, spray paint and pink bubble wrap on cardboard (175 x 70 cm) will be auctioned at an estimated price of €40,000 to €60,000.

Although Imi Knoebel's portraits refer to specific individuals whose names are mentioned in the titles, he depicts them in his minimalist style as an interplay of colours and orthogonal shapes. Four works from this exciting series will be auctioned on 5th December, with estimated prices ranging from €35,000 to €45,000 each.

Tony Cragg is one of the most illustrious names in contemporary sculpture. Two of his striking works, which allow for diverse angles and interpretations, are included in the auction. In addition to the bronze ‘Can’ from 2000 (estimated price €30,000 to €40,000), the iron casting ‘Mixed Feelings’ from 2010 will also be auctioned. The 62-centimetre-high work is one of three copies and is estimated at €50,000 to €70,000. Cragg's bronze ‘Prescription’, one of four casts of this work, each with a different patina, will be offered in the ‘50 Lots – My Choice’ auction on 4th December.

Isa Genzken will be featured in the Contemporary art auction on 5th December with two of her iconic and much-discussed 'Weltempfänger' (World Receivers). A copy created in 1992 is estimated at €35,000 to €45,000. An edition of 18 copies was created in 1987 for the Kunstverein für die Rheinlande, and No. 8/18 of this series, which is being offered at auction, is estimated at €20,000 to €30,000.

Selected items of modern and contemporary art will be offered in the anniversary auction ‘50 Lots – My Choice’ on the previous day (4th December).

Jan Bykowski
Press and Public Relations
info@lempertz.com
Tel. 0221 925729 -57