Modern & Contemporary Art sale in Basel, live broadcast in Paris
 

On 21^st June, Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer will hold its annual Modern & Contemporary Art sale in Basel, which will be broadcast live at Artcurial in Paris. More than 330 lots will be auctioned, including artworks by Eduardo Chillida, Maurice Denis, Diego Giacometti, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Günther Uecker and Andy Warhol.

Artworks from the estate of Florence and Antoine Poncet
Among the major pieces of the sale is a group of works from the estate of Florence and Antoine Poncet. The latter, one of the most important sculptors of the post-war period, worked with Hans Arp and was close to Serge Poliakoff and Sonia Delaunay. He also came from a great family of artists: grandson of Maurice Denis on his mother’s side, and son of the glass painter Marcel Poncet, with whom he worked. In addition to the fine works of Maurice Denis, the collection also includes important works by Louis Soutter and Hans Arp, as well as engravings by Serge Poliakoff.

The sale includes a fine bronze Lampadaire aux anneaux, estimated CHF150,000 – 200,000, by Diego Giacometti, a Swiss sculptor and designer who created many pieces of furniture, as well as a magnificent pencil drawing of a Vase de fleurs, estimated CHF40,000 – 60,000, by Henri Matisse, whose work is dotted with flowers.

Andy Warhol's Goethe silkscreen, estimated CHF50,000 – 70,000, is also worth noting, as it is the first print that the Pop Art master made based on the Old Masters. It was inspired by a visit to the Städel, which houses the famous portrait of Goethe by J. H. Wilhelm Tischbein. He went on to produce engravings and paintings based on artworks by Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Edvard Munch.

The sale also includes a large-format artwork by British artist Howard Hodgkin, one of the most admired post-war artists. Egypt, one of Hodgkin's major artworks, is estimated CHF500,000 – 700,000. As can be seen in this artwork, his brushstrokes extend beyond the picture plane into the frame, breaking with traditional constraints.

Also worthy of note are two oil paintings by Jacques Majorelle, a French Orientalist painter rarely seen at Swiss auctions.

Also of note are a group of engravings by Pablo Picasso, including a drypoint Minotaure caressant une dormeuse estimated CHF50,000 – 70,000; two very fine ceramics by André Derain, produced in 1906 at the height of the artist's Fauvist period and estimated CHF40,000 – 60,000; a group of artworks by Jef Verheyen and Günther Uecker, artists from the Zéro group; and a sculpture in chamotte clay by Eduardo Chillida estimated CHF100,000 – 150,000.

A special mention should be made of a group of Italian artworks, including a large-format work by Giuseppe Santomaso and two embroideries on canvas by Alighiero e Boetti, estimated CHF40,000 – 60,000. During a trip to Afghanistan, Boetti discovered the tradition of weaving and decided to delegate the production of picture carpets to women. Political commitment and a willingness to step aside in favour of external collaboration are an integral part of the artist's approach.

Other important artworks include paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Maurice de Vlaminck and Antoni Tàpies; sculptures by Robert Couturier and Meret Oppenheim; and three tables by Yves Klein.

Information
Exhibition in Basel
From 13 to 18 June, 10am-5pm

Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer
Schwarzwaldallee 171
4058 Basel
During Art Basel

Exhibition of selected artworks in Zürich
9 June, 3pm-7pm
10 June, 11am-4pm

Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer
Kirchgasse 33
During Zurich Art Weekend
 

Auctions
Modern & Contemporary Art
Auction in Basel, live broadcast in Paris
21 June 2023 - 2pm

Online Only: Modern & Contemporary Art
From13 to 27 June 2023

Contact
+41 61 312 32 00
info@bbw-auktionen.com