Some Pleasure Reading
Painted in 1903 in Barcelona, at the peak of Picasso’s Blue Period, the portrait depicts his friend as an absinthe drinker.
Paging through Sotheby’s latest Impressionist and Modern Art catalogue (5/5/10 Evening Sale), I came across this curiosity. Entitled Bust de Femme (Sotheby’s Sale N08633, Lot 30), Picasso painted his lover at the time, artist Dora Maar. My initial reaction was, “Really!? it looks like Yogi Bear….. or Chewbacca” Anyways, it has pre-sale estimates between 1.5 to 2 million USD.
Sotheby’s notes that, “In the years that followed the completion of this compelling picture, Picasso’s relationship with Maar would become increasingly strained.” Rich.
Alexa Meade applies acrylic paints to people to mess with our senses. Pretty cool. Below is Natura Morta, a live installation from 2009.
Coming to auction at Sotheby’s upcoming Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale (L10002), is a pretty significant, 6-ft. bronze sculpture (edition of 6) from Alberto Giacometti. Pre-estimates have it selling for between 12 and 18 million pounds (GBP).
The Economist published a pretty good review on the latest series of books that attempt to provide worldy readers and van Gogh fans alike, a glimpse into the psyche of the eccentric artist… through his letters.
Another one of Picasso’s Musketeers, HOMME À L’ÉPÉE, lot 08, comes to auction as part of Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale (L09606) in London. It has a pre-estimate range of 6-8 millioin GBP.
Of the lots coming to auction in Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale, in New York on May 5, 2009, Pablo Picasso’s LA FILLE DE L’ARTISTE À DEUX ANS ET DEMI AVEC UN BATEAU is my favorite. Not just because of the image, but the story behind the painting is quite fascinating. Estimated to sell between 16 and 24 million USD, this painting also graces the catalogue’s cover.
