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"Every single line means something."
—Jean-Michel BasquiatThrough an array of symbols and text, Jean-Michel Basquiat's Untitled provides an intimate look at one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th Century. Executed in 1987, just a year before the artist passed away at the age of 27, Untitled was created at a time when Basquiat was struggling with the loss of his dear friend and mentor, Andy Warhol. Here, the artist invites the viewer into his own elaborate universe, creating a drawing that is both personal and encyclopedic. The present work portrays a narrative through motifs, short phrases, and signs. The composition is a recompilation of the most meaningful symbols and motifs Basquiat had been using in his work up until this point, bringing together the various sources and iconography that defined his entire practice from the early 1980s to his untimely death.
Basquiat as a Draughtsman
Jean Michel-Basquiat distinguished himself from his contemporaries by the amount of works on paper he executed, and the artistic achievements he realized with this medium. He treated drawing with the same importance as he treated painting, making each one a work of art in its own right. Basquiat was attracted to the immediacy of the act of drawing, and the similarities this medium shared with graffiti, having started as an artist on the streets. Drawing became a way of “channeling” his inner thoughts, impressions, memories, and fantasies.i In Untitled, the symbols, imagery and text are rendered with a dark black crayon, making them stand out from the negative spaces in the sheet.ii These come into contact with a few bright green watercolor brushstrokes and scattered blue, red, and pink scribbles, all of which together illustrate how Basquiat embraced text and color seamlessly throughout his practice.
Jean-Michel Basquiat stands in front of his painting with the words "Man Dies" on exhibit at the Vreg Baghomian Gallery shortly before his death on August 12, 1988, New York City, Image: Mark Sink / Corbis / Getty Images Breaking Down the Symbols
Untitled brings together the artist’s expressive rawness and primitive style, with a recording of phrases and hieroglyphics akin to stream-of-consciousness writing. “PUMP, ROTARY AND CENTRIFUGAL” and “FATAL INJURY” are some of the most noticeable phrases in the drawing. But even more captivating are the graphic symbols, inspired by Henry Dreyfuss’ Symbol Sourcebook: An Authoritative Guide to International Graphic Symbols published in 1972. After Basquiat studied this textbook, he started integrating many of the symbols Dreyfuss codified into his own works. In Untitled, one example is the circle with a diagonal line protruding from the top corner with a “G” at the end. Intertwined with this kind of symbolism, we find other recognizable motifs like the pig’s eye, the Batman logo, and a sword. The ambivalent references embodied in this work, also reveal Basquiat’s mental state during this time of his life, when he was struggling with addiction and intense personal loss. These emotions can be felt in the symbols of mortality, anatomy, and alchemy, alongside words like “CRUCIBLE” and “SPIRIT.”
Henry Dreyfuss, Symbol Sourcebook: An Authoritative Guide to International Graphic Symbols (source image for the present lot). "I don’t think about art when I’m working. I think about life."
—Jean-Michel BasquiatUntitled is a testament to this notion—a visual manifestation of his complex perceptions, thoughts, and beliefs, bringing together ideas about both the physical and spiritual world. It begs the question of what might lie beyond the sheet, challenging the viewer to decode the messages and decipher this map of disparate symbols. The dissemination of phrases, words and signs, integrated with his raw style of drawing, brings a sense of intimacy and personal significance into this composition. In this way, Untitled uniquely showcases Jean-Michel Basquiat’s determination as a creator and is a powerful example of the authenticity that defines his most celebrated masterpieces.
i Fred Hoffman, The Art of Jean Michel Basquiat, New York, Enrico Navarra Gallery, 2017, p. 69–71.
ii Robert Storr, Two Hundred Beats Per Min., Brooklyn, 1990, n.p., in John Cheim. ed., Jean Michel Basquiat Drawings, New York, 1990.Provenance
Galerie Mathias Fels, Paris
Private Collection
Christie's, New York, November 17, 2000, lot 526
Acquired at the above sale by the present ownerLiterature
Galerie Enrico Navarra, ed., Jean-Michel Basquiat: Works on Paper, Paris, 1999, p. 260 (illustrated, erroneously dated 1984)
Artist Biography
Jean-Michel Basquiat
American • 1960 - 1988
One of the most famous American artists of all time, Jean-Michel Basquiat first gained notoriety as a subversive graffiti-artist and street poet in the late 1970s. Operating under the pseudonym SAMO, he emblazoned the abandoned walls of the city with his unique blend of enigmatic symbols, icons and aphorisms. A voracious autodidact, by 1980, at 22-years of age, Basquiat began to direct his extraordinary talent towards painting and drawing. His powerful works brilliantly captured the zeitgeist of the 1980s New York underground scene and catapulted Basquiat on a dizzying meteoric ascent to international stardom that would only be put to a halt by his untimely death in 1988.
Basquiat's iconoclastic oeuvre revolves around the human figure. Exploiting the creative potential of free association and past experience, he created deeply personal, often autobiographical, images by drawing liberally from such disparate fields as urban street culture, music, poetry, Christian iconography, African-American and Aztec cultural histories and a broad range of art historical sources.
Property of an Esteemed New York Collector
Ο◆120
Untitled
signed and dated "Jean-Michel Basquiat '87" on the reverse
crayon and watercolor on paper
30 x 22 3/8 in. (76.2 x 56.8 cm)
Executed in 1987, this work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the Authentication Committee of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Estimate
$600,000 - 800,000
Sold for $877,000
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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