NEW YORK – Gene Shapiro Auctions will sell important works of Russian, European and Latin art Saturday, Nov. 5, on the fifth floor of the Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St. in Manhattan. The auction will begin at 10 a.m.
The auction is expected to gross $4 million to $6 million, and the per-lot average is more than $20,000. The sale catalog has been posted online at www.geneshapiro.com. A printed full-color catalog is available for purchase.
“Due to the success of our previous several auctions, we have been fortunate to secure many high-quality consignments, especially from private collectors, that are fresh to the market,” said Gene Shapiro. “Serious collectors will not want to miss this sale.”
As in previous Gene Shapiro auctions, this one will include both older and newer Russian artists. From the antique category, a rare oil on canvas painting by Pavel Svedomsky, a 19th-century genre artist who studied in Germany and worked in Western Europe, is expected to fetch $35,000-$50,000. Also, a portrait by Leon Bask, measuring 42 inches by 51 1/2 inches, should hit $125,000-$175,000.
Numerous works by 20th century Russian masters will form a large portion of the sale. The artists will include names such as Korovin, Grigoriev, Altmann, Issupoff and Tarkhov. Also, original paintings by avant-garde Russian artists Ivan Kliun and Alexander Rodchenko are expected to realize $200,000-$300,000 and $250,000-$350,000 respectively. Following that will be a grouping of early works on paper, by avant-garde masters Natalia Goncharova and Mikhail Larionov.
The sale will also included noted Russian artists who emigrated at one time or another to the West – not just America but other countries as well, like the School of Paris artists. The auction will contain no fewer than 15 works by David Burliuk, plus original artwork by Boris Anisfeld and Constantin Westchiloff. Also, a biblical scene by the revered illustrator Arthur Szyk, plus several works by the Kiev-born Ecole de Paris artist Isaac Pailes, will be offered.
In the Russian contemporary field, highlights promise to include a rare conformist work by Nadezha Elskaya (1947-1978) and a painting that was acquired from the legendary nonconformist artist Evgeny Rukhin (1943-1976). Also, a large mixed media work by the influential nonconformist Pyotr Belenok is expected to rise to $40,000-$60,000. A diplomat acquired the painting in Moscow directly from the artist in the 1970s.
An important segment of the sale will be devoted to contemporary works by Sots Art painters and similar-minded artists. These will include numerous works by Komar Melamid, Leonid Sokov and Alexander Kosolapov. A striking and vibrant image painted by Melamid, of the ancient sculpture Discobolus, lot 162, is expected to realize $120,000-$150,000.
The European works will include a large oil on canvas still life by the Bauhaus artist Max Peiffer Watenphul (est. $20,000-$30,000). Latin American highlights will feature a haunting portrait by the legendary Mexican artist Emilio Baz Viaud, done in the 1950s (est. $15,000-$20,000); and two works by the million-dollar selling painter Alfredo Ramos Martinez, one of which is an early self-portrait with provenance from the family of the artist.
An exhibition and preview are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 4, from noon to 9 p.m., also on the fifth floor of the Metropolitan Pavilion. For information Gene Shapiro Auctions at 917-3330-1482 or visit the Web site www.geneshapiro.com.
