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"Realist painting has to do with leaving out a lot of detail. I think my painting can be a little shocking in all that it leaves out. But what happens is that the mind fills in what’s missing…Painting is a way of making you see what I saw."
—Alex Katz
Painted in the late 1950s, Untitled is a wonderful example of Alex Katz’s early paintings, specifically the artist’s development of his signature, simplified style through color blocking. During this time when Abstract Expressionism dominated the New York art scene, Katz introduced a refreshing approach to painting landscapes, portraits and still lifes. He found a unique way of depicting recognizable scenes, using only the most fundamental elements in his compositions. With his bold use of colors and subjects taken from his own life, his works prefigured the development of the Pop Art movement, which would soon take the art world by storm.iColor Blocking
Untitled embodies Katz’s ability to create a chorus of figurative and abstract forms. During the early 1950s, he was interested in studying amateur black-and-white photographs, specifically their visual compositions. These first inspired the artist to focus on the pictorial flatness and stillness of his original source images. He would select, edit, and crop a scene, like a filmmaker – omitting details, blocking out forms, and emphasizing these by adding color.ii Katz’s first exploration of this technique was through the collages he created between 1954 and 1960, of which the present work is reminiscent. To create these collages, the artist cut out elements from his own drawings and hand-colored paper, and then glued them over sheets of vibrantly colored stocks. Working on these collages undoubtedly contributed to his later and most celebrated paintings, distinguished by their reduction of forms, and their rhythm of color and lines.iii In Untitled, Katz depicts himself, his wife Ada, and his son Vincent in a reductive manner only through their outlines, juxtaposing them against a large blue passage that merges sea and sky. There is an abrupt transition of color which exemplifies the color blocking technique used in this work. The yellow of Vincent’s hair and Katz's hat, and the stripes in the artist’s clothing, further define the figures from the flatness of the background, resulting in a collage-like effect.
Alex Katz, Greenwood Lake, New Jersey, cut-and-pasted painted and colored paper on paper, 1960. Museum of Modern Art, New York, Image: © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY, Artwork: © 2022 Alex Katz / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Maine Scenes
Untitled portrays a frequent subject in Katz’s most celebrated works, a scene most likely located at Katz’s summer house in Maine. Katz went to Maine for the first time when he attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in the summers of 1949 and 1950 after graduating from Cooper Union in New York City. The teaching at Skowhegan was more traditional than in Cooper Union. Each morning, a bus would take the students to paint the Maine landscape from life. This was the first time Katz had done direct painting, looking at something and painting it on the spot without doing any preliminary sketches. As he has written of this key moment in his career, Katz "tried plein-air painting, and found my subject matter and a reason to devote my life to painting.”iv Since then, the artist has spent every summer at his house in Maine. Here, we are likely viewing a scene in the coastal village of Lincolnville, Maine. Through its depiction of an ultramarine sea beneath a light blue sky, the painting embodies a tranquil and quiet atmosphere, very typical of Katz’s landscape paintings. The color, light, and composition of this work provide a window into the early development of the Katzian style, and how the artist redefined traditional realist and figurative painting.
"The paintings look easy, the way Fred Astaire made dancing look easy and Cole Porter made words and music sound easy, but don’t let [us] be fooled."
— John Russell wrote on Alex Katz in the Times.v
i Simon Schama and Dave Hickey, Alex Katz Under the Stars: American Landscapes 1951–1995, exh. cat., The Institute for Contemporary Art / P.S.1 Museum, New York, 1996, pp. 9–13.
ii Tom McGlynn, “Brand–New & Terrific: Alex Katz in the 1950s,” The Brooklyn Rail, September 2018, online
iii Grace Glueck, “Clever Collages and Quite Maine Scenes: Two Sides of Alex Katz,” The New York Times, September 9, 2005, onlineiv Ibid.
v Calvin Tomkins, “Alex Katz’s Life in Art,” The New Yorker, August 20, 2018, onlineProvenance
Stable Gallery, New York
Private Collection, New York (acquired from the above in 1961)
Private Collection, New York (thence by descent from the above)
Sotheby’s, New York, March 5, 2015, lot 25
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner
130
Untitled
signed "Alex Katz" lower right
oil on linen
35 1/4 x 56 in. (89.5 x 142.2 cm)
Painted circa 1959.
Estimate
$150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $403,200
Annie Dolan
Specialist, Head of Day Sale, Morning Session
+1 212 940 1288
adolan@phillips.com
20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale, Morning Session
New York Auction 19 May 2022
101
Gerhard Richter
4.10.85 (3)
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $73,080
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102
Gerhard Richter
22.5.86 (2)
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $60,480
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103
Gerhard Richter
7.12.85
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $252,000
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104
Gerhard Richter
12.12.85
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $239,400
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105
Gerhard Richter
8.3.85
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $151,200
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106
Gerhard Richter
Nach 'Fallschirm' (After 'Parachute')
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $163,800
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107
Gerhard Richter
8.1.84 (1)
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $22,680
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108
Gerhard Richter
8.1.84 (2)
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $18,900
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109
Theodoros Stamos
Jewel of Memory
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $81,900
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110
Adolph Gottlieb
Two Figures
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $55,440
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111
Sam Francis
Untitled (SF88-399)
Estimate $150,000 - 250,000
Sold for $302,400
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112
John Chamberlain
The Vagabond's Prayer
Estimate $400,000 - 600,000
Sold for $378,000
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113
Sam Gilliam
With Blue and...
Estimate $200,000 - 300,000
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114
Vivian Springford
Untitled
Estimate $70,000 - 100,000
Sold for $144,900
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115
Mary Heilmann
Yellow, Red + Blue Drawing
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $126,000
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116
Mary Heilmann
Le Mans
Estimate $70,000 - 100,000
Sold for $189,000
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117
David Smith
Main Pribilof
Estimate $300,000 - 400,000
Sold for $277,200
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118
Norman Lewis
Eye of the Storm
Estimate $500,000 - 700,000
Sold for $604,800
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119
This lot is no longer available.
120
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Untitled
Estimate $600,000 - 800,000
Sold for $877,000
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121
George Condo
Untitled
Estimate $250,000 - 350,000
Sold for $504,000
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122
Dondi White
Reign Man Cometh
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $44,100
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123
Jean Dubuffet
Mire G 67 (Boléro)
Estimate $180,000 - 250,000
Sold for $214,200
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124
Kenny Scharf
PRIMARYBLOBZ
Estimate $80,000 - 120,000
Sold for $214,200
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125
Kenny Scharf
DR. PURPLE
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $302,400
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126
Robert Indiana
LOVE (Violet Faces Red Sides)
Estimate $600,000 - 800,000
Sold for $724,500
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127
Robert Indiana
Picasso
Estimate $600,000 - 800,000
Sold for $1,058,500
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128
Jim Dine
The King of Patches
Estimate $80,000 - 120,000
Sold for $113,400
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129
James Rosenquist
The Serenade for the Doll after Claude Debussy, Gift Wrapped Doll #22
Estimate $120,000 - 200,000
Sold for $138,600
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130
Alex Katz
Untitled
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $403,200
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131
Andy Warhol
Portrait of Hans Preben Smith
Estimate $100,000 - 150,000
Sold for $201,600
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132
Richard Pettibone
Roy Lichtenstein, 'Seductive Girl', 1964 Purple-Yellow
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $69,300
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133
Richard Pettibone
Andy Warhol, 'Mao'
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $20,160
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134
Richard Pettibone
Andy Warhol, ‘Two Jackies', 1964
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $37,800
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135
Richard Pettibone
Andy Warhol, 'Scotch Broth Soup', 1962
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $32,760
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136
Richard Pettibone
Andy Warhol, 'Campbell’s Soup Can', 1962
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $37,800
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137
Jim Dine
Two Hearts (Due Cuori)
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $69,300
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138
Tom Wesselmann
Final Study for Kate Nude
Estimate $70,000 - 100,000
Sold for $115,920
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139
Peter Saul
Bush Over Baghdad
Estimate $100,000 - 150,000
Sold for $163,800
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140
Malcolm Morley
Aegean Crime
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $327,600
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141
Ed Paschke
Dumattica
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $16,380
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142
Robert Colescott
Crocodile in the Sewer
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $52,920
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143
Philip Guston
Untitled (Drawing from the Phlebitis Series)
Estimate $80,000 - 120,000
Sold for $88,200
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144
Larry Rivers
Last Civil War Veteran
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $47,880
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145
Andy Warhol
Gun
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $126,000
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146
Ed Ruscha
Statistical Significance
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $189,000
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147
David Hockney
The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 (twenty eleven) - 17 April
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $277,200
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148
Jennifer Bartlett
In the Garden #108
Estimate $80,000 - 120,000
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149
John Baldessari
Woman Looking at Plant (With Two Carrots)
Estimate $350,000 - 450,000
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150
Charles Ray
All my Clothes
Estimate $100,000 - 150,000
Sold for $170,100
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151
Vito Acconci
Modular Fluorescent Sofa
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
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152
John McCracken
IOS
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $151,200
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153
Brice Marden
Untitled
Estimate $70,000 - 100,000
Sold for $75,600
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154
Sol LeWitt
Wall Drawing #1023: Isometric form
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $151,200
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155
Sam Gilliam
Reef II
Estimate $100,000 - 150,000
Sold for $371,700
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156
Sam Gilliam
Shimmering Pisces
Estimate $250,000 - 350,000
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157
Louise Nevelson
Rain Forest Column XXI
Estimate $100,000 - 150,000
Sold for $630,000
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158
Louise Nevelson
The Wedding Present
Estimate $300,000 - 400,000
Sold for $352,800
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159
Thierry De Cordier
Je Suis le Monde!
Estimate $80,000 - 120,000
Sold for $107,100
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160
John Chamberlain
Maquette
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $126,000
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161
Louise Nevelson
Cityscape
Estimate $35,000 - 50,000
Sold for $52,920
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162
Louise Bourgeois
Femme
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $352,800
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163
Louise Bourgeois
Untitled
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $100,800
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164
Alice Rahon
Main Street
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $44,100
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165
Alice Rahon
Dans la nuit du commencement
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $69,300
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166
Joseph Cornell
J. Eagels Autumnal - Spring
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $47,880
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167
Joseph Cornell
Isle of Children
Estimate $30,000 - 40,000
Sold for $63,000
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168
Joseph Cornell
Dovecote
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $63,000
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169
Joseph Cornell
Untitled
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
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170
Joseph Cornell
The Garden Party
Estimate $7,000 - 10,000
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171
Alexander Calder
18 works: (i-xviii) Untitled
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $56,700
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172
Jamie Wyeth
Duck, Fence, and Stump
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $44,100
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173
Giorgio Morandi
Natura morta
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $25,200
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174
Fernand Léger
Femme à l'écharpe (Mrs. Chester Dale)
Estimate $35,000 - 45,000
Sold for $50,400
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175
Pablo Picasso
Two works: (i-ii) Maternité
Estimate $70,000 - 100,000
Sold for $107,100
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176
Francisco Zúñiga
Desnudo de anciana
Estimate $80,000 - 120,000
Sold for $59,850
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177
Fernando Botero
Woman with Serpent
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $176,400
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178
Salvador Dalí
Head of Dante
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $100,800
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179
Édouard Vuillard
La pipe
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $35,280
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180
Armand Guillaumin
Vue de la pointe d’Ivry
Estimate $80,000 - 120,000
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181
This lot is no longer available.
182
Fernand Léger
Untitled
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $44,100
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183
Georges Valmier
Untitled
Estimate $7,000 - 10,000
Sold for $11,970
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184
Georges Valmier
Untitled
Estimate $7,000 - 10,000
Sold for $6,930
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185
José Mijares
Lo concreto en rojo
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $50,400
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186
George Rickey
Inverted Column
Estimate $18,000 - 25,000
Sold for $40,320
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187
Larry Bell
9/11
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $11,970
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188
Suzan Frecon
Light & Earth
Estimate $70,000 - 100,000
Sold for $75,600
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189
Sam Gilliam
Untitled
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $88,200
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190
Louise Fishman
Door to the Studio
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $13,860
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191
Louise Fishman
Moment of Change
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $57,960
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192
Hermann Nitsch
Untitled
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $52,920
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193
Jules Olitski
Empress Love - 2
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $52,920
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194
Larry Poons
Untitled
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $157,500
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195
Ross Bleckner
Untitled
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $81,900
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196
Francesco Clemente
Ativiam
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $30,240
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197
George Condo
Etruscan Study
Estimate $80,000 - 120,000
Sold for $151,200
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198
John Wesley
Bonnets
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $37,800
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199
Ed Ruscha
So
Estimate $30,000 - 40,000
Sold for $119,700
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200
Andy Warhol
Two works: (i) Cabbage Patch Doll (Girl); (ii) Cabbage Patch Doll (Boy)
Estimate $30,000 - 40,000
Sold for $27,720
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201
Andy Warhol
Heinz Kosher Dill Pickles Jar with Alarm
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $18,900
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202
Andy Warhol
Three works (i-iii): Self-Portrait
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $50,400
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203
Gerhard Richter
Guildenstern
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $16,380
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204
Franz West
Untitled (Rasenmacher No. 80)
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $47,880
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205
James Lee Byars
Compositie
Estimate $6,000 - 9,000
Sold for $8,190
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206
Richard Artschwager
Untitled
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $37,800
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207
Wolf Kahn
Adams Barn
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $88,200
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