Phillips Presents Highlights from the New York Editions & Works on Paper Auction

Phillips Presents Highlights from the New York Editions & Works on Paper Auction

 

Featuring Diverse Selections from Louise Bourgeois, Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Miró, Ed Ruscha, and Works from the Lower East Side Printshop Archives

 

 

NEW YORK – 26 MARCH 2024 – Phillips is pleased to present highlights from the marquee New York Editions and Works on Paper auction this spring. The important two-day event will begin with a curated single owner sale Works from the Lower East Side Printshop Archives, followed by the Evening sale at 5pm on 16 April. The auction will continue on 17 April with the Modern, Post-War, and Contemporary Day Sale. With offerings from more than 210 artists and over 80 lots sold with no reserve, the auction presents many opportunities for collectors at all levels. Additionally, the sale includes 35 complete sets and notable pieces by acclaimed artists such as Stanley Whitney, Cecily Brown, Henri Matisse, Jasper Johns, Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Hockney, and many others.

 

Cary Leibowitz and Kelly Troester, Worldwide Co-Heads of Editions and Deputy Chairpersons, Americas, said, “We are again delighted to have such a robust and diverse offering of works for our marquee sale of the season. From the wonderful selection of 72 works from the Lower East Side Printshop’s illustrious archive to Roy Lichtenstein’s iconic Roommates, our April sale brings together an expansive group of important names from over a century, marking an opportunity for our community to acquire editioned works that represent the forefront of modern and contemporary art.”

 

 

The upcoming sale will feature 37 lots by Andy Warhol, including 22 lots from 1950 to 1957, shedding light on Warhol's early career as an illustrator and his pivotal role in shaping the Pop art movement. One standout print from Warhol’s later career is Moonwalk, 1987, rendered in vibrant neon pink. Originally intended for Warhol's TV series, it became the only print from the proposed series to be realized due to his untimely passing, making it a remarkably sought-after work. Additionally, Details of Renaissance Paintings (Sandro Botticelli, Birth of Venus, 1482), 1984, captures Warhol's reinterpretation of Botticelli's Renaissance masterpiece, emphasizing the timeless allure of Venus's beauty and the enduring fascination with mass reproduction in art.

 

Bringing to auction a significant milestone in Roy Lichtenstein's artistic journey, the Nudes series, akin to Warhol’s Moonwalk, represents his final major body of work before his passing in 1997. Reimagining the traditional genre of the female nude through a Pop Art lens, Lichtenstein ingeniously integrates motifs from earlier series like Reflections, Imperfect, Water Lily, and Interiors. Roommates, from Nudes Series, 1994, exemplifies Lichtenstein's skillful juxtaposition of rigid geometry and the fluidity of the human form within a densely layered interior composition. By engaging with the longstanding artistic tradition of the nude genre, Lichtenstein offers a fresh interpretation infused with his distinct Pop sensibilities, solidifying his legacy as a pioneering figure in contemporary art.

 

The Evening session will showcase Jean-Michel Basquiat's remarkable series of five lithographs, Untitled (from Leonardo), 1983, from the esteemed collection of former NBA player and contemporary artist Desmond Mason. These lithographs offer a captivating reflection on the anatomical studies of Leonardo da Vinci and represent a rare glimpse into Basquiat's printmaking, being one of the few prints he produced during his lifetime. Furthermore, following Ed Ruscha’s 2023 retrospective at MoMA and now opening at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, ED RUSCHA/NOW THEN, Phillips is delighted to showcase 10 works by Ruscha across the Evening and Day sessions. These include early iconic images like Hollywood, 1968 and Fruit-Metrecal Hollywood, 1971, alongside three unique color trial proofs from the 2013 Mountain Prints Series; Wall Rocket, Sponge Puddle, History Kids. These prints feature majestic mountain ranges, classic Ruscha quips and musings against gradated sunsets, providing a fresh perspective on the artist's celebrated oeuvre.

 

Pablo Picasso's Buste au corsage à carreaux, 1958, stands out as a highlight of the sale, showcasing Jacqueline Roque, Picasso’s second wife and muse, in a series of elegant and elaborately drawn lithographic portraits. Renowned for its meticulous detail, the lithograph reflects Picasso's dedication to perfecting the composition, printed in collaboration with master printer Fernand Mourlot. Made after Marcel Duchamp’s 1912 painting of the same name, the April auction features a rare impression of La Mariée (The Bride), 1934, where he collaborated with his brother Jacques Villon. The aquatint emphasizes Duchamp’s passion for chess with the distinguished addition at the lower right margin of a grey knight chess piece. This stamp, unique to a special edition of 20, distinguishes this impression on offer from the regular edition of 200.

 

Notable modern works include Joan Miró's vibrant lithograph [Untitled], 1970, featuring extensive hand-coloring in gouache over a lithographic base, and a rare opportunity to acquire a unique work from the modern master. The dynamic Argument XXXIV, 1983, is a late work by Jean Dubuffet that captures his affinity for graffiti-inspired forms and raw expressiveness. Additionally, George Grosz's Ein Verbrechen (A Crime), c. 1913-14, offers a poignant glimpse into the artist's early exploration of societal chaos, while Salvador Dalí's ambitious reinterpretation of Goya's Les Caprices de Goya (Dali's 'Caprichos' by Goya), 1977, series infuses surrealism and satire into the iconic etchings, tackling themes of vice and power dynamics.

 

Works from the Lower East Side Printshop Archives

Featured as a single owner sale preceding the Evening Sale on 16 April, Works from the Lower East Side Printshop Archives presents a total of 72 lots, with 50 offered at no reserve sold on behalf of the renowned New York City printmaking studio. Supporting contemporary artists across all career stages, the Lower East Side Printshop has provided essential resources and opportunities for nearly 70 years through residency programs, attracting talents like Barbara Kruger, Derrick Adams, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Mark Bradford, Nicolas Party, and Kara Walker. Recognized for its cultural significance, the Lower East Side Printshop was awarded Primary Organization status by the New York State Council on the Arts in 2006. Among the highlights is I WANNA GIVE YOU DEVOTION, 2019, by Jeffrey Gibson, whose work was included in the recent private selling exhibition New Terrains shown at Phillips earlier this year. Featuring vibrant screen-printed letters inspired by dance and pop songs from the 80s and 90s, Gibson's work synthesizes queer and pop culture with motifs from his Cherokee and Choctaw heritage, emphasizing strength and vulnerability within these communities. This inclusive approach has earned Gibson the honor of representing the United States at the 2024 Venice Biennale.

 

Auction: 16 – 17 April

Auction viewing: 10 – 15 April

Location: 432 Park Avenue, New York, NY, United States, 10022

Click here for more information: https://www.phillips.com/auctions/auction/NY030324 & https://www.phillips.com/auctions/auction/NY030724

 

 ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

ABOUT PHILLIPS

Phillips: where the world’s curious and bold connect with the art, design, and luxury that inspires them. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise in the areas of Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewels. Auctions and exhibitions are primarily held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, with representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia. Phillips offers a regular selection of live and online auctions, along with items available for immediate purchase. Phillips also offers a range of services and advice on all aspects of collecting, including private sales and assistance with appraisals, valuations, and financial planning.

Visit phillips.com for further information.

 

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

 

PRESS CONTACTS:            

NEW YORK – Jaime Israni, Head of PR and Corporate Communications, Americas     jisrani@phillips.com  

 

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