PHILLIPS TO OFFER PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTION
BRICE MARDEN, ED RUSCHA & ALIGHIERO BOETTI LEAD SALE OF CONTEMPORARY MASTERWORKS EXPECTED TO REALIZE IN EXCESS OF $35 MILLION
NEW YORK – FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2015 – Phillips is pleased to announce the sale of a Private American Collection featuring significant contemporary works of art by many of the most compelling American artists of the twentieth century, including Brice Marden, Ed Ruscha, Robert Ryman, John Chamberlain, and James Lee Byars, as well as Italians Giuseppe Penone and Alighiero Boetti. The collection of over 100 works is expected to realize more than $35,000,000 and will be offered this season in both New York and London. Gathered over a period of more than fifteen years, the collection reflects passion and connoisseurship at the highest level.
“Phillips is proud to have been entrusted with this outstanding collection of works of art for its spring sale season. The works embody gravitas, timelessness and the sharp eye of connoisseurship that the market yearns for at this time.” Edward Dolman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Phillips.
The 14 May Contemporary Art Evening Sale in New York will present the core of the collection, including the exceptional painting Elements (Hydra), 1999-2000/2001 by Brice Marden, estimated at $8,000,000 – 12,000,000, which embodies the artist’s mastery of form, line and color. Ed Ruscha’s Porch Crop ($2,000,000-3,000,000) exemplifies his singular playful unification of image and language. Robert Ryman’s faceted jewel-like painting, Untitled (Jan. Feb. March), 1959 ($700,000 – 1,000,000) is an exceptional early work by this master of gesture and meditation. Alighiero Boetti’s Mappa (Purple), 1983 ($1,500,000 – 2,500,000) is a prescient expression of the world on the cusp of globalization.
The Private American Collection balances painting and sculpture in equal measure. Giuseppe Penone’s Idee di Pietra, 2003/07 ($1,500,000 – 2,500,000) both honors and is in memoriam to nature. John Chamberlain’s singular innovation of sculptural form is represented in works spanning five decades. Following this offering of important works in the 14 May Evening Sale, a selection of over 40 works will be offered in the Day Sale, including some of the most desirable photographs by Wolfgang Tillmans and exceptional early works on paper by Ed Ruscha.
The Private American Collection will be presented at auction in a series of sales, beginning with the Photographs sale in New York on 1 and 2 April. Works will also be included at the New York Editions sale on 21 April; the inaugural Italian auction in New York on 6 May; the cornerstone New York Contemporary Art Evening sale on 14 May; the New York Contemporary Art Day sale on 15 May; the New York Latin America sale scheduled for 26 May; the London Contemporary Art Evening sale on 29 June; and the New York Under The Influence sale on 16 September. Phillips is honored to be bringing this level and calibre of material to the market.
PHILLIPS:
As the only international auction house to concentrate exclusively on contemporary culture, Phillips has established a commanding position in the sale of Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions and Jewellery. Through the passionate dedication of its team of global specialists, the company has garnered an unparalleled wealth of knowledge of emerging market trends. Founded in London in 1796, Phillips conducts auctions in New York and London and has representative offices throughout Europe and in the United States. For more information, please visit: phillips.com.
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+1 212 940 1224
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