Newly Discovered painting by Roy Lichtenstein and works by Richard Pettibone, Beverly Pepper, Helen Garber, Cindy Sherman and others on offer at Rago’s Post-war and Contemporary Art auction Nov. 17
Oct. 25, 2007
LAMBERTVILLE, NJ—Rago’s sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art Nov. 17 is a closely curated selection of 300 lots in two sessions. The sale brings together essential works from leading painters, sculptors and photographers working today with those of Post-War innovators as it juxtaposes important originals with stylish multiples. The fully illustrated auction catalog is available at www.LiveAuctioneers.com where those interested may place Internet bids.
The first session features an exceptionally strong selection of works by prominent artists. A highlight is the 1952 oil on canvas, Cherokee Brave, by Roy Lichtenstein (presale estimate $20,000-$30,000). This work is not only new to market, it is newly discovered. Accepted by the Lichtenstein Foundation, it will be included in the artist’s catalogue raisonné.
A number of the outstanding works in this sale are by important working artists. These include five paintings by Richard Pettibone, appropriations of the works of Warhol (a Campbell’s soup can and a rare Double Elvis in gold), Lichtenstein, Monet and Duchamp. The sale also includes a distinguished group of sculptures: the 1987 work Vittorio Plaza II by Beverly Pepper in cast iron and wood; Richard Artschwager’s 1989 acrylic and wood hanging Blb; an early Louise Nevelson bronze; and two works by Saint Clair Cemin.
Also noteworthy in the first session is the art of William T. Wiley, Gene Davis, Jack Youngerman, Alexander Liberman, Carlo Battaglia, Gerard Garouste, Komar and Melamid, Wolf Kahn, Ross Bleckner, John Walker, Martin Wong, Philip Akkerman, Martin Mull and Tim Rollins + K.O.S.
Rago’s has built a reputation for edgy work from young and emerging artists. The November sale does not disappoint, with three paintings from Helen Garber’s Bikers series; two of Delia Brown’s studies for portraits of Pablo & Chiquita; and two works on paper by Marcel Dzama and a vivid Paintant #4, 1996-97 by Fabian Marcaccio. Offered for the first time at auction is a painting from Edward del Rosario’s 2005 Offspring Series. For sale by other upcoming artists (many of whom are new to the secondary market) are works from Teo Gonzalez, Charlotta Westergren, Peter Busch, Daniel Bozhkov, Eric Heist, Rob Fischer, David Nicholson, David Deutsch, Damien Smith, George Rush, Joseph Hart, Todd Norsten, Hope Atherton, Seth Adelsberger, Craig Kucia, Jason Middlebrook, John Beech, Doug Wada, Tim Lokiec, Lucky DeBellevue, Sissel Kardel, Torben Giehler, Herbert Hamak, Chakaia Booker, Julian Laverdiere, Jay Davis, Susie Rosmarin, Joe Fyfe, Katharina Grosse, Meredith Danluck, Jovi Schnell, Warren Isensee and Carl Ostendarp.
The photographs selected for the sale are expected to garner a fair share of the attention paid. There are a number of iconic works from the 1980s and 1990s, including Joey Dressed for Wigstock, New York City, and Alf and Fritz by Nan Goldin, as well as photographs by Cindy Sherman, Thomas Ruff, William Eggleston, Herb Ritts, William Christenberry, John Baldessari and Spencer Tunick. Rago’s is also very proud to offer the art of John Beech, Orit Raff, Malerie Marder, Julie Becker, Jessica Craig Martin, Dara Friedman, Oliver Boberg, Brian McKee, Nicholas Kahn and Richard Selesnick, Kevin Landers, Anton Vidokle and Andres Serrano.
The sale features a strong grouping of the prints and multiples that have gained such popularity among both young and veteran collectors in recent years. Among the highly sought-after works here are three prints by Andy Warhol, including a Jackie II and two electric chairs; a collection of Ed Ruscha books (many of them first editions); a New York Collection for Stockholm portfolio in the original wood portfolio case; Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog in blue and a Puppy vase; a large 1981 etching and aquatint A Heart on the Rue de Grenelle by Jim Dine; and the rich linocut Comet from the 1992 Skowhegan Suite by Vija Celmins. Also look for work by Thomas Nozkowski (whose untitled painting sold for a record price at Rago’s last November), Ellsworth Kelly, Francesco Clemente, Elizabeth Murray, Robert Mangold, Fred Sandback, Chuck Close, Christo, Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Oldenburg, Sol LeWitt, Helen Frankenthaler, Victor Pasmore, Jack Pierson, Donald Baechler, David Hockney, Robert Indiana, Jenny Holzer, Aya Takano, Chiho Aoshima, Kara Walker, Lesley Dill, Ed Paschke, Robert Cottingham.
“Our goal is to find exciting work worthy of the attention of a broad range of collectors,” said Meredith Hilferty, Director of Fine Art. “Uncovering and presenting a new work from Lichtenstein is as amazing for us as bringing the work of keenly talented, less established artists to the fore. This sale reflects that.”
Visit www.LiveAuctioneers.com to view the fully illustrated catalog as well as place Internet bids.
About Rago Fine Art Auctions:
Rago Fine Art Auctions, formally established in 2003, is the fastest growing auction division at Rago’s. With its first record-breaking sale (the Brutten Herrick Collection of Contemporary Art), it launched itself in the marketplace as a source for first-rate work by both established and emerging artists competitively priced in the $5,000 - $500,000 range. Small wonder this department attracts so much superb property, including three of the most interesting single-owner collections sold in the last season. Rago’s hold six regularly scheduled fine art sales each year: Post War and Contemporary Art in May and November; 19th and 20th C. American and European Art (featuring Pennsylvania Impressionists and Modernists) in February and September; and Modern art, in conjunction with Sollo Rago Modern Auctions, in April and October. Rago’s has built its professional reputation on achieving outstanding prices at auction for its clients and attention to their goals as sellers is of paramount importance. Our clients enjoy direct access to partners and experts throughout the valuation, consignment and auction process. A 30-person staff assures a high standard of service to both sellers and buyers, whether new to auctions or long-time friends.
