1978
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : French sculpture Matisse Maps Modern tables /
See also : French sculpture Matisse Maps Modern tables /
(1930) posthumous 1978 Back IV by Matisse
2010 SOLD for $ 49M by Christie's
In 1906, Matisse designs an original theme of sculpture: a nude woman standing, life size, seen from behind, leaning against a wall. The subject fascinated him to such a degree that he created three further versions, in 1913, 1916 and 1930. Psychoanalysts could probably tell us the reason of that backside position.
These four naked Backs are changing from realism to stylization, from flexibility to a balance of the masses. The last state is broad and symmetrical, the body barred from head to buttocks by a vertical braid that resembles the tail of a heavy horse.
Twelve bronzes were published from each of the four plasters between 1948 and 1981. On November 3, 2010, Christie's sold for $ 49M from a lower estimate of $ 25M a bronze of the Back IV, 189 cm high with a brown patina, cast in 1978.
These four naked Backs are changing from realism to stylization, from flexibility to a balance of the masses. The last state is broad and symmetrical, the body barred from head to buttocks by a vertical braid that resembles the tail of a heavy horse.
Twelve bronzes were published from each of the four plasters between 1948 and 1981. On November 3, 2010, Christie's sold for $ 49M from a lower estimate of $ 25M a bronze of the Back IV, 189 cm high with a brown patina, cast in 1978.
1978 Paper Pool by HOCKNEY
1
Piscine de Medianoche
2018 SOLD for $ 11.7M by Sotheby's
In 1978 David Hockney returned to California to settle there on a lasting basis. Passing through New York, he worked for six weeks with Ken Tyler to experiment artistic creation with colored pulp of paper that this papermaker-printer had invented for Ellsworth Kelly.
The artist uses a ladle to pour the wet pulp in metal molds partitioned to create simple figures. The work is adjusted by hand after removing the molds, before being pressed flat. Each image is unique, like the monotypes of the old days.
Hockney executed two series of paper pulps with Tyler. The earlier, to try the technique, is on the theme of sunflowers. Then the Paper Pools, for which he juxtaposes several shades of blue, are displaying swimming pools, most often with a springboard. Steps with shadow (Paper Pool 2), 130 x 85 cm, appears to be still experimental. It was sold for $ 2.4M by Sotheby's on May 17, 2019, lot 140.
He designs his Paper Pools as assemblies of independently prepared elements. The junctions are visible. With this technique, he produced two large format artworks with twelve elements, the Paper Pools 18 and 27, 183 x 434 cm each.
Piscine de Medianoche, Paper Pool 30, in 6 elements in format 183 x 217 cm overall, was sold for $ 11.7M from a lower estimate of $ 5M by Sotheby's on May 16, 2018, lot 11.
The Paper Pool series was edited in high quantities in lithography in 1980.
After his 1978 session with Tyler, Hockney will not reuse paper pulp but the fragmentation will certainly inspire his gigantic landscapes in oil on canvas of the 2000s, composed of elements adjusted by computer.
The artist uses a ladle to pour the wet pulp in metal molds partitioned to create simple figures. The work is adjusted by hand after removing the molds, before being pressed flat. Each image is unique, like the monotypes of the old days.
Hockney executed two series of paper pulps with Tyler. The earlier, to try the technique, is on the theme of sunflowers. Then the Paper Pools, for which he juxtaposes several shades of blue, are displaying swimming pools, most often with a springboard. Steps with shadow (Paper Pool 2), 130 x 85 cm, appears to be still experimental. It was sold for $ 2.4M by Sotheby's on May 17, 2019, lot 140.
He designs his Paper Pools as assemblies of independently prepared elements. The junctions are visible. With this technique, he produced two large format artworks with twelve elements, the Paper Pools 18 and 27, 183 x 434 cm each.
Piscine de Medianoche, Paper Pool 30, in 6 elements in format 183 x 217 cm overall, was sold for $ 11.7M from a lower estimate of $ 5M by Sotheby's on May 16, 2018, lot 11.
The Paper Pool series was edited in high quantities in lithography in 1980.
After his 1978 session with Tyler, Hockney will not reuse paper pulp but the fragmentation will certainly inspire his gigantic landscapes in oil on canvas of the 2000s, composed of elements adjusted by computer.
2
Day Pool with Three Blues
2019 SOLD for $ 10.5M by Christie's
Day Pool with Three Blues, Paper Pool 7, in 6 small and 3 larger elements in format 183 x 217 cm overall, was sold for $ 10.5M by Christie's on May 15, 2019, lot 24 B
3
Sprungbrett mit Schatten
2018 SOLD for $ 7.3M by Christie's
Sprungbrett mit Schatten, Paper Pool 14, in 6 elements in format 183 x 217 cm overall, was sold for $ 7.3M by Christie's on November 15, 2018, lot 14 C
4
Green Pool with Diving Board and Shadow
2018 SOLD for $ 2.9M by Christie's
Green Pool with Diving Board and shadow, Paper Pool 3-L from a series of fifteen unique cariants, 127 x 82 cm, was sold for $ 2.9M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Christie's on November 16, 2018, lot 697.
Athletes by WARHOL
1
1978 Complete Set
2011 SOLD for $ 5.7M by Christie's
2021 Muhammad Ali for sale on November 11 by Christie's
to be reviewed
A complete set of the 10 Athletes by Warhol was sold for $ 5.7M by Christie's on May 11, 2011, lot 54.
The ten elements of this specific set were painted in 1978 in synthetic polymer and silkscreen ink on canvas 102 x 102 cm each.
The ten elements of this specific set were painted in 1978 in synthetic polymer and silkscreen ink on canvas 102 x 102 cm each.
2
1977-1978 Muhammad Ali
2020 SOLD for £ 5M by Christie's
A portrait of Muhammad Ali from the Athletes series made in 1977 by Warhol was sold for $ 10M by Christie's in 2019.
Another example completed by Warhol in 1978, acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen 102 x 102 cm,
was sold for £ 5M from a lower estimate of £ 3M by Christie's on February 12, 2020, lot 8.
Another example completed by Warhol in 1978, acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen 102 x 102 cm,
was sold for £ 5M from a lower estimate of £ 3M by Christie's on February 12, 2020, lot 8.
1978 Mappa by Alighiero Boetti
2021 SOLD for £ 3.04M by Sotheby's
Artist in the abstract and lettrist styles, Alighiero Boetti wanted to express the globalization of time and space. The name of this universal minded Italian could be a pseudonym in tribute to Dante and Boethius, his two famous compatriots from ancient times. Not at all : it was his real name, sometimes used as Alighiero e Boetti.
In addition to his personal work, he managed from 1971 a fertile idea in the follow of his hippy trek in Asia, He chose then as a theme the Mappa, the map of the Earth, which he made tirelessly woven by Afghan or Pakistani hand weavers.
The design is fixed : they are the continents. The choice of colors of earth and sea is made by the craftsman, along with his possible selection of a text for the border. The flags of the nations are embroidered at the place of their geographic location.
An embroidery on canvas 179 x 220 cm executed in 1978 was sold for £ 3.04M from a lower estimate of £ 1.8M by Sotheby's on October 14, 2021, lot 10. Its vibrant colors include a rich blue sea and deep red continents centered by the dazzling hammer and sickle of the USSR.
In addition to his personal work, he managed from 1971 a fertile idea in the follow of his hippy trek in Asia, He chose then as a theme the Mappa, the map of the Earth, which he made tirelessly woven by Afghan or Pakistani hand weavers.
The design is fixed : they are the continents. The choice of colors of earth and sea is made by the craftsman, along with his possible selection of a text for the border. The flags of the nations are embroidered at the place of their geographic location.
An embroidery on canvas 179 x 220 cm executed in 1978 was sold for £ 3.04M from a lower estimate of £ 1.8M by Sotheby's on October 14, 2021, lot 10. Its vibrant colors include a rich blue sea and deep red continents centered by the dazzling hammer and sickle of the USSR.
1978 Self Portrait with a Black Eye by Freud
2010 SOLD for £ 2.84M by Sotheby's
Lucian Freud uses his hyper-realistic vision for showing human flesh in life size. A previously unpublished self-portrait was sold for £ 2.84M by Sotheby's on February 10, 2010, it has the interesting feature of mixing art and story.
Freud admits that he was a brawler. In 1978 a taxi driver throws a punch in his face. The artist admires his swollen eye adorning his newly distorted face, and makes a self-portrait as an oil on canvas 18 cm high (from the lips to the top of the hair) and 14 cm wide.
The image is shared by AuctionPublicity.
Freud admits that he was a brawler. In 1978 a taxi driver throws a punch in his face. The artist admires his swollen eye adorning his newly distorted face, and makes a self-portrait as an oil on canvas 18 cm high (from the lips to the top of the hair) and 14 cm wide.
The image is shared by AuctionPublicity.
1978 Bronze Table by Diego Giacometti
2016 SOLD for $ 3.8M by Sotheby's
Diego Giacometti was thirteen months younger than Alberto. Decorators and sculptors, they establish their studio together in Montparnasse. The pieces of furnishing that they realize in the 1930s in particular for Jean-Michel Frank appeal by their modernism.
The war separates them temporarily. At that moment their art takes very different directions. While Alberto expresses existentialism by relying on surrealism, Diego does not leave decoration and realism. He meets the desires of his customers with his nice and humorous themes where animal figures come to perch on the struts or to huddle in the table legs.
Circa 1978, twelve years after the death of Alberto, Diego designs and executes for a customer a bronze table in the shape of a regular octagon 170 cm wide. The top is carried by eight legs in front of which the artist dispositions in the extension of each horizontal bar a standing figure in the threadlike style of Alberto.
This late synthesis of the art of the Giacometti brothers is scarce and unexpected. The table was sold for $ 3.8M by Sotheby's on November 15, 2016 from a lower estimate of $ 300K.
The war separates them temporarily. At that moment their art takes very different directions. While Alberto expresses existentialism by relying on surrealism, Diego does not leave decoration and realism. He meets the desires of his customers with his nice and humorous themes where animal figures come to perch on the struts or to huddle in the table legs.
Circa 1978, twelve years after the death of Alberto, Diego designs and executes for a customer a bronze table in the shape of a regular octagon 170 cm wide. The top is carried by eight legs in front of which the artist dispositions in the extension of each horizontal bar a standing figure in the threadlike style of Alberto.
This late synthesis of the art of the Giacometti brothers is scarce and unexpected. The table was sold for $ 3.8M by Sotheby's on November 15, 2016 from a lower estimate of $ 300K.
