1953
See also : Miro Bacon < 1963 De Kooning Early Rothko Art on paper Time instruments Patek Philippe Patek Philippe 1945-1980 Cars 1951-53 British cars Jaguar Early Ferrari
1953 The Sixth Year of the Creation
2013 SOLD 44 M$ including premium
From 1948 to 1953, Barnett Newman expressed his conception of the creation of the world in a series of six paintings titled Onement and numbered from I to VI. These monochrome works are crossed in the middle by a narrow vertical strip visible in another color after removal of a sparing tape. The strip is identified as the 'zip'.
The impression of homogeneity is false, as different techniques are used for applying color until the differences become almost imperceptible. Through his painstaking care, the monochromes of Newman precede the pop art flags of Jasper Johns.
The apparent simplicity of the result expresses the false uniformity of the universe. The central zip is designed as an assault by an all-powerful force.
Onement V, 152 x 96 cm, was sold for $ 22.5 million including premium at Christie's on May 8, 2012. The zip in low contrast separates the two dark blue vertical areas.
In 1953, Onement VI is the apotheosis of the series, in the metaphysical meaning of that word. The space, still dark blue, becomes huge and almost square, 300 x 260 cm. The light blue zip is the first in the series to have sharp edges, predicting the victory of the disturbance on the established order.
Onement VI is estimated $ 30M, for sale by Sotheby's in New York on May 14. It is illustrated on the summary shared by Art Market Monitor.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
POST SALE COMMENT
Onement VI is an iconic work, able to propagate at their best the messages and searches of abstract expressionism. It was sold $ 44M including premium.
The impression of homogeneity is false, as different techniques are used for applying color until the differences become almost imperceptible. Through his painstaking care, the monochromes of Newman precede the pop art flags of Jasper Johns.
The apparent simplicity of the result expresses the false uniformity of the universe. The central zip is designed as an assault by an all-powerful force.
Onement V, 152 x 96 cm, was sold for $ 22.5 million including premium at Christie's on May 8, 2012. The zip in low contrast separates the two dark blue vertical areas.
In 1953, Onement VI is the apotheosis of the series, in the metaphysical meaning of that word. The space, still dark blue, becomes huge and almost square, 300 x 260 cm. The light blue zip is the first in the series to have sharp edges, predicting the victory of the disturbance on the established order.
Onement VI is estimated $ 30M, for sale by Sotheby's in New York on May 14. It is illustrated on the summary shared by Art Market Monitor.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
POST SALE COMMENT
Onement VI is an iconic work, able to propagate at their best the messages and searches of abstract expressionism. It was sold $ 44M including premium.
1953 Rothko and the Red Studio
2019 SOLD for $ 26.5M including premium
In 1952 Mark Rothko needs to redefine his creativity. He now has a better workshop that allows him to consider larger vertical formats. At the same time, the rise in popularity of the abstract expressionist movement generates jealousy from the other artists including Newman and Still. It is true that Rothko's blocks simulating mystical confrontations are really understandable only by himself.
The new workshop is close to the MoMA. The contemplation of Matisse's Atelier Rouge is a new starting point for Rothko. In this oil on canvas painted in 1911, Matisse has limited the image to a very saturated dark red wall to which a few small objects bring their contrasting colors. Despite the presence of the table and floor, the perspective is almost annihilated.
In 1953 Rothko continues his main theme of assembling rectangles of bright colors. Yet some paintings are directly inspired by the Atelier Rouge. This is undoubtedly the case for Blue over Red, oil on canvas 163 x 89 cm. On an orange background modulated with ochre and yellow, the blocks separated by strips of light are not very contrasted, with the exception of a bright blue band in the upper part of the image which could be a painting on Matisse's wall.
Blue over Red was sold for $ 5.6M including premium by Christie's on November 8, 2005. It is estimated $ 25M for sale by Sotheby's in New York on November 14, lot 26. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This influence has been fruitful for the artist. He will now look for illusions of the pulsation of light by the contradictory forces of dilatation and contraction, and will soon replace the garish colors with dark hues.
The new workshop is close to the MoMA. The contemplation of Matisse's Atelier Rouge is a new starting point for Rothko. In this oil on canvas painted in 1911, Matisse has limited the image to a very saturated dark red wall to which a few small objects bring their contrasting colors. Despite the presence of the table and floor, the perspective is almost annihilated.
In 1953 Rothko continues his main theme of assembling rectangles of bright colors. Yet some paintings are directly inspired by the Atelier Rouge. This is undoubtedly the case for Blue over Red, oil on canvas 163 x 89 cm. On an orange background modulated with ochre and yellow, the blocks separated by strips of light are not very contrasted, with the exception of a bright blue band in the upper part of the image which could be a painting on Matisse's wall.
Blue over Red was sold for $ 5.6M including premium by Christie's on November 8, 2005. It is estimated $ 25M for sale by Sotheby's in New York on November 14, lot 26. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This influence has been fruitful for the artist. He will now look for illusions of the pulsation of light by the contradictory forces of dilatation and contraction, and will soon replace the garish colors with dark hues.
1953 Study for a Trivial Man
2011 SOLD 18 M£ including premium
The artists of the twentieth century have greatly admired Velazquez. Francis Bacon goes further: his many studies of Innocent X are a great example of appropriation. Any pope is a human, and therefore has the ability to scream, but which message does he screams so? His social position does not allow such an arrogance.
In the artistic language of Bacon, a man who does not scream may be even more terrible because he does not eject his tensions. Painted in 1953, the Study for a portrait for sale by Christie's in London on June 28 anticipated by a few months the Man in Blue series. It is shared by Christie's Audio.
On this large oil on canvas, 198 x 137 cm, the anonymous man is sitting in an armchair, like a pope. Attention is drawn to the ageing serious face and to trivial attributes of social success like the glasses and the tie. The rest of the subject melts into the dark and sinister atmosphere.
This portrait is like a mirror where the viewer sees his own banality charged by empty feeling. This is a key work in the artistic development of Bacon. The auction house prefer not publishing an estimate.
POST SALE COMMENT
The price, £ 18M including premium, is consistent with the fact that it is a key work in the art of Bacon.
In the artistic language of Bacon, a man who does not scream may be even more terrible because he does not eject his tensions. Painted in 1953, the Study for a portrait for sale by Christie's in London on June 28 anticipated by a few months the Man in Blue series. It is shared by Christie's Audio.
On this large oil on canvas, 198 x 137 cm, the anonymous man is sitting in an armchair, like a pope. Attention is drawn to the ageing serious face and to trivial attributes of social success like the glasses and the tie. The rest of the subject melts into the dark and sinister atmosphere.
This portrait is like a mirror where the viewer sees his own banality charged by empty feeling. This is a key work in the artistic development of Bacon. The auction house prefer not publishing an estimate.
POST SALE COMMENT
The price, £ 18M including premium, is consistent with the fact that it is a key work in the art of Bacon.
1953 Woman (Blue Eyes) by De Kooning
2013 SOLD for $ 19M including premium by Christie's
1953 The Immobile Movement of the Bird
2015 SOLD for £ 9.2M including premium
In 1953, Joan Miro consciously deploys the enthusiasm of a child. The dark years of war and activism are over, only remains the need to express freedom. He is 60 years old.
The careful technique of the artist is not incompatible with the ampleness and speed of his gesture which had inspired Pollock. His pictorial grammar is childish. The composition is a search for a motion that would not contradict the immobility of the canvas.
On February 4 in London, Christie's sells an oil on canvas 90 x 116 cm painted in 1953, lot 116 estimated £ 7M.
The title-poem, L'Oiseau au plumage déployé vole vers l'arbre argenté (the bird with the deployed plumage flies to the silver tree), describes the image, which is not always the case in the surrealist art of Miro and suggests that the action was chosen very early in the design of this artwork.
The background provides the atmosphere of a peaceful twilight with the night coming from the right. A dynamic although imaginary arch supporting the upper part of the scenery leads the bird to the tree in a move that will cross through the crescent moon.
Miro does not accept empty spaces in his paintings. The picture is completed by stars stylized as snowflakes and a foreground with two important figures including some anthropomorphic features.
The careful technique of the artist is not incompatible with the ampleness and speed of his gesture which had inspired Pollock. His pictorial grammar is childish. The composition is a search for a motion that would not contradict the immobility of the canvas.
On February 4 in London, Christie's sells an oil on canvas 90 x 116 cm painted in 1953, lot 116 estimated £ 7M.
The title-poem, L'Oiseau au plumage déployé vole vers l'arbre argenté (the bird with the deployed plumage flies to the silver tree), describes the image, which is not always the case in the surrealist art of Miro and suggests that the action was chosen very early in the design of this artwork.
The background provides the atmosphere of a peaceful twilight with the night coming from the right. A dynamic although imaginary arch supporting the upper part of the scenery leads the bird to the tree in a move that will cross through the crescent moon.
Miro does not accept empty spaces in his paintings. The picture is completed by stars stylized as snowflakes and a foreground with two important figures including some anthropomorphic features.
1953 C-Type Jaguars for Le Mans
2015 SOLD for $ 13.2M including premium
In June 1950 in Le Mans, Jaguar executives are delighted. They had allocated some cars to private pilots and one of them showed a good behavior of his XK120 before dropping at the 21th hour for a braking issue. Jaguar is then resolutely committed to the technological challenge of competition and launches the study of the XK120C soon known as the C-Type.
In 1951, success is achieved for the first official attempt by Jaguar at Le Mans : a C-Type wins the race. In the following year, the failure is scathing. To counter Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar had modified the aerodynamics without appreciating that it would cause an excessive overheating.
The option taken for 1953 is innovative, with a lightweight body made of aluminum and some equipment improvements. The unique target of the brand is Le Mans, and only three cars are assembled. They will be the last three in the C-Type. Success returns : the new Jaguars brilliantly occupy the first, second and fourth final positions.
This variant of transition is the rarest Jaguar, made obsolete by the development of the D-Type.
Jaguar is not totally uninterested in the fate of its C-Type Works Lightweight since they managed to sell all the three cars to the Ecurie Ecosse after the 1953 season. The three cars are getting high successes throughout 1954 before being sold again.
The best overall record of these Lightweight comes to the car that had been fourth at Le Mans in 1953. It then will undergo major transformations including changing its coachwork. Its current owner has fitted a new body that scrupulously meets the 1953 configuration, excepted that it is metallic blue painted in the colors of Ecurie Ecosse.
The C-Type Lightweight is the rarest Jaguar. This newly restored unit is estimated $ 9M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 14, lot 235. I invite you to watch the video shared by Petrolicious.
In 1951, success is achieved for the first official attempt by Jaguar at Le Mans : a C-Type wins the race. In the following year, the failure is scathing. To counter Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar had modified the aerodynamics without appreciating that it would cause an excessive overheating.
The option taken for 1953 is innovative, with a lightweight body made of aluminum and some equipment improvements. The unique target of the brand is Le Mans, and only three cars are assembled. They will be the last three in the C-Type. Success returns : the new Jaguars brilliantly occupy the first, second and fourth final positions.
This variant of transition is the rarest Jaguar, made obsolete by the development of the D-Type.
Jaguar is not totally uninterested in the fate of its C-Type Works Lightweight since they managed to sell all the three cars to the Ecurie Ecosse after the 1953 season. The three cars are getting high successes throughout 1954 before being sold again.
The best overall record of these Lightweight comes to the car that had been fourth at Le Mans in 1953. It then will undergo major transformations including changing its coachwork. Its current owner has fitted a new body that scrupulously meets the 1953 configuration, excepted that it is metallic blue painted in the colors of Ecurie Ecosse.
The C-Type Lightweight is the rarest Jaguar. This newly restored unit is estimated $ 9M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 14, lot 235. I invite you to watch the video shared by Petrolicious.
1953 A Ferrari for Four Champions
2013 SOLD 9.9 M€ including premium
In 1953, Ferrari was already established as a formidable competitor to Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Maserati and Lancia.
La Scuderia entered three cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. One of them was assigned to Nino Farina, world champion in 1950, and to Mike Hawthorn who will have the same glory in 1958. Technically, this car is a 340MM changed with some characteristics of the 375MM.
This Ferrari is one of the best cars of that year. It was also driven by the 1953 world champion, Alberto Ascari. However, it was left to a very young driver named Umberto Maglioli to demonstrate its outstanding on-road behaviour by a legendary performance in the Carrera Panamericana.
Bodied by Pinin Farina, this elegant berlinetta has everything to seduce the most demanding collectors. It is for sale on May 25 by RM Auctions in Villa Erba in the auction organized at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
I invite you to watch the video shared by RM on YouTube, including images of both 1953 and 2013.
POST SALE COMMENT
This Ferrari is exceptional. The result, € 8.8 million before fees, is confirmed on the Facebook page of the auction house.
La Scuderia entered three cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. One of them was assigned to Nino Farina, world champion in 1950, and to Mike Hawthorn who will have the same glory in 1958. Technically, this car is a 340MM changed with some characteristics of the 375MM.
This Ferrari is one of the best cars of that year. It was also driven by the 1953 world champion, Alberto Ascari. However, it was left to a very young driver named Umberto Maglioli to demonstrate its outstanding on-road behaviour by a legendary performance in the Carrera Panamericana.
Bodied by Pinin Farina, this elegant berlinetta has everything to seduce the most demanding collectors. It is for sale on May 25 by RM Auctions in Villa Erba in the auction organized at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
I invite you to watch the video shared by RM on YouTube, including images of both 1953 and 2013.
POST SALE COMMENT
This Ferrari is exceptional. The result, € 8.8 million before fees, is confirmed on the Facebook page of the auction house.
1953 The Braking of Jim Kimberly
2013 SOLD 9.1 M$ including premium
Jim Kimberly was not happy with his Ferrari 340 America, a spider coachworked by Vignale whose effectiveness in competition was highly compromised by the heating of the brakes.
The gentleman-driver, who was also a wealthy American industrialist, now wanted a body that meets his own specifications. No problem, Ferrari will make that for him. Same as for watches at the time of Packard and Graves, listening to an important customer is boosting the progress.
The eighth 375 MM chassis was the third in the series to be built in spider by Pinin Farina, but it will be the only one to incorporate the requirements of Kimberly. It will also be the only one painted in Kimberly red, a spectacular deviation from the Ferrari red.
Kimberly was right. Delivered in 1953, his Ferrari won sixteen of the twenty races in which he engaged it in the following year. Better : the innovation of opening the body behind the wheels was incorporated in 1957 as the 'pontoon fender' in the legendary Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.
The thermal and aerodynamic balance at the level of the wheels was indeed the ultimate factor for the success of a racing car in 1954. Fangio also won by refusing to enclose the wheels in the body of his Mercedes-Benz W196.
Jim Kimberly's 375 MM equipped with its original spare engine will be sold on August 16 in Monterey by RM Auctions. I invite you to play the video shared by the auction house.
POST SALE COMMENT
This car is a significant milestone in the history of Ferrari. It was sold for $ 8.25 million before fees.
The gentleman-driver, who was also a wealthy American industrialist, now wanted a body that meets his own specifications. No problem, Ferrari will make that for him. Same as for watches at the time of Packard and Graves, listening to an important customer is boosting the progress.
The eighth 375 MM chassis was the third in the series to be built in spider by Pinin Farina, but it will be the only one to incorporate the requirements of Kimberly. It will also be the only one painted in Kimberly red, a spectacular deviation from the Ferrari red.
Kimberly was right. Delivered in 1953, his Ferrari won sixteen of the twenty races in which he engaged it in the following year. Better : the innovation of opening the body behind the wheels was incorporated in 1957 as the 'pontoon fender' in the legendary Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.
The thermal and aerodynamic balance at the level of the wheels was indeed the ultimate factor for the success of a racing car in 1954. Fangio also won by refusing to enclose the wheels in the body of his Mercedes-Benz W196.
Jim Kimberly's 375 MM equipped with its original spare engine will be sold on August 16 in Monterey by RM Auctions. I invite you to play the video shared by the auction house.
POST SALE COMMENT
This car is a significant milestone in the history of Ferrari. It was sold for $ 8.25 million before fees.
1953-1957 Hours for the Use of Milan
2019 SOLD for HK$ 70M including premium
Patek Philippe began in 1937 to assemble World Time watches (Heures Universelles, HU) with the movement patented and supplied by Louis Cottier. A ring marked from 0 to 23 rotates counter clockwise in synchronisation with the hands. Another ring identifies about 40 cities or places. The time everywhere around the world is read directly by the position of these inscriptions in front of the rotating ring.
In 1953 the reference 2523 replaces the 1415 after a modification of the Cottier calibre enabling to change the reference setting of the time zone. The 2523 is a luxury watch, most often equipped with an enamelled dial. 26 units were produced. The most usual dial of this model is a cloisonné enamel showing the map of a continent. A North America was sold for CHF 2.8M including premium by Christie's on May 14, 2012.
The 2523 is in turn replaced in 1957 by its variant 2523-1 with a simplification of the lugs and a metal dial. The production of HU movements ceases in 1965. A pink gold 2523-1 was sold for HK $ 19.5M including premium by Phillips on May 31, 2016.
A pink gold 2523 in excellent condition without any sign of repair surfaced in 2010. It was sold for CHF 2.7M including premium by Christie's on November 15, 2010, lot 114. I discussed it in this column before that sale. The dial and movement were made in 1953 and the case in 1954.
The centre of its dial is not in cloisonné but is monochrome in a beautifully translucent ocean blue enamel. The watch was sold to Gobbi in Milan in 1957. It is the only 2523 to have on its dial a double signature of Patek Philippe and a retailer, a feature that is today eagerly sought after by watch collectors. It is estimated HK $ 55M for sale by Christie's in Hong Kong on November 23, lot 2201. Please watch the video prepared by the auction house.
In 1953 the reference 2523 replaces the 1415 after a modification of the Cottier calibre enabling to change the reference setting of the time zone. The 2523 is a luxury watch, most often equipped with an enamelled dial. 26 units were produced. The most usual dial of this model is a cloisonné enamel showing the map of a continent. A North America was sold for CHF 2.8M including premium by Christie's on May 14, 2012.
The 2523 is in turn replaced in 1957 by its variant 2523-1 with a simplification of the lugs and a metal dial. The production of HU movements ceases in 1965. A pink gold 2523-1 was sold for HK $ 19.5M including premium by Phillips on May 31, 2016.
A pink gold 2523 in excellent condition without any sign of repair surfaced in 2010. It was sold for CHF 2.7M including premium by Christie's on November 15, 2010, lot 114. I discussed it in this column before that sale. The dial and movement were made in 1953 and the case in 1954.
The centre of its dial is not in cloisonné but is monochrome in a beautifully translucent ocean blue enamel. The watch was sold to Gobbi in Milan in 1957. It is the only 2523 to have on its dial a double signature of Patek Philippe and a retailer, a feature that is today eagerly sought after by watch collectors. It is estimated HK $ 55M for sale by Christie's in Hong Kong on November 23, lot 2201. Please watch the video prepared by the auction house.
1953 The Everlasting Beauty of the Chinese Woman
2014 SOLD for HK$ 66M including premium
The 31-month scholar and artistic work of Zhang Daqian in the grottoes of Dunhuang, from 1941 to 1943, have not only helped the Chinese to appreciate their ancient pictorial heritage. Now enjoying a new vision across ages in addition to his flawless technique, Zhang became the best modern Chinese artist.
With their precise thin line drawing, the Tang figures are the best mural art in Dunhuang. After copying, Zhang began to imitate them. A heroine named Hong Fu Nu from a novel evoking the Tang dynasty became his inspiration for the ideal woman.
In 1944, Zhang performs a sumptuous portrait of this court woman in an elaborate costume, with bright colors on a background dotted with gold. The flexible expression of the woman is inspired by Ming style. This artwork, 125 x 75 cm including the subframe, was sold for 71 million yuan including premium by China Guardian on May 10, 2013.
In 1953, while in Argentina, Zhang executes a second version with an almost identical drawing, but without gold and fake frame and in a lighter tone. This ink and color on paper 135 x 57 cm will be sold by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 7, lot 1518. It is catalogued with a title in French, La Beauté Antique, following an exhibition in Paris in 1956.
With their precise thin line drawing, the Tang figures are the best mural art in Dunhuang. After copying, Zhang began to imitate them. A heroine named Hong Fu Nu from a novel evoking the Tang dynasty became his inspiration for the ideal woman.
In 1944, Zhang performs a sumptuous portrait of this court woman in an elaborate costume, with bright colors on a background dotted with gold. The flexible expression of the woman is inspired by Ming style. This artwork, 125 x 75 cm including the subframe, was sold for 71 million yuan including premium by China Guardian on May 10, 2013.
In 1953, while in Argentina, Zhang executes a second version with an almost identical drawing, but without gold and fake frame and in a lighter tone. This ink and color on paper 135 x 57 cm will be sold by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 7, lot 1518. It is catalogued with a title in French, La Beauté Antique, following an exhibition in Paris in 1956.
1953 Zhang Daqian, Spirited Landscape Painter
2011 SOLD 64.5 MHK$ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Zhang Daqian is a classical artist, adept in the technique of mogu of positioning the color wash wash without preparatory drawing.
Also known as a re-creator of lost works of ancient masters, he brought into his personal art a unique sensuality that makes him one of the best modern artists, who may be compared to the Impressionists despite his very different technique. He is along with Qi Baishi one of the top artists on the Chinese art market.
For Zhang, the landscape is a sensation of color interpreted from memory. On April 5 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sells a spring landscape in the Sichuan mountains, 90 x 45 cm. This hanging paper scroll was made in 1953 when Zhang was in exile in Argentina. The harmony of blue and green marks the artist's nostalgia for his home region as much as does the sensitive poem at the upper side of the work.
The interpretation made by Zhang in 1968 of Lake Achensee is one of the masterpieces of modern Chinese art. This explosion of expressionist colors, 264 x 76 cm on silk, was sold RMB 100M including premium by China Guardian in Beijing on May 17, 2010. It was also a work of memory, three years after a short sightseeing trip of the artist in Austria.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was not published, but we had to expect a high price. It is successful: HK $ 64.5 million including premium.
Here is the image of this successful lot, shared post sale by Auction News Network.
Zhang Daqian is a classical artist, adept in the technique of mogu of positioning the color wash wash without preparatory drawing.
Also known as a re-creator of lost works of ancient masters, he brought into his personal art a unique sensuality that makes him one of the best modern artists, who may be compared to the Impressionists despite his very different technique. He is along with Qi Baishi one of the top artists on the Chinese art market.
For Zhang, the landscape is a sensation of color interpreted from memory. On April 5 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sells a spring landscape in the Sichuan mountains, 90 x 45 cm. This hanging paper scroll was made in 1953 when Zhang was in exile in Argentina. The harmony of blue and green marks the artist's nostalgia for his home region as much as does the sensitive poem at the upper side of the work.
The interpretation made by Zhang in 1968 of Lake Achensee is one of the masterpieces of modern Chinese art. This explosion of expressionist colors, 264 x 76 cm on silk, was sold RMB 100M including premium by China Guardian in Beijing on May 17, 2010. It was also a work of memory, three years after a short sightseeing trip of the artist in Austria.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was not published, but we had to expect a high price. It is successful: HK $ 64.5 million including premium.
Here is the image of this successful lot, shared post sale by Auction News Network.
