1958 Joan Mitchell abstract in spotlight at Rago/Wright sale, May 23
Joan Mitchell, ‘Untitled,’ estimated at $600,000-$800,000. Image courtesy of Rago/Wright
LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – Rago/Wright will present a Post War & Contemporary Art auction on Tuesday, May 23. This beautifully curated auction consisting of 88 lots is a premier event of the spring season, featuring an exemplary selection of paintings, drawings, photography and sculpture from some of the most sought-after artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
Leading the May 23 sale is Joan Mitchell’s 1958 abstract Untitled canvas from the collection of Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason, which carries an estimate of $600,000-$800,000. Commonly grouped together as part of Abstract Expressionism’s Second Generation, Mitchell and Kahn were both members of the New York School and friends and admirers of each other’s work. Kahn acquired this untitled piece during a visit to Mitchell’s studio in Paris, just before he returned to New York with his wife, painter Emily Mason. It remained in the couple’s private collection until Kahn’s death in 2020, when it was passed to their daughter Cecily.
Sol LeWitt, ‘Asymmetrical Pyramids,’ estimated at $200,000-$300,000.
Image courtesy of Rago/Wright
Additional painting highlights include Sol LeWitt’s Asymmetrical Pyramids, a set of six works made between 1985 and 1986 and together estimated at $200,000-$300,000, as well as works from Roy Lichtenstein, Fairfield Porter, Miyoko Ito, Ben Quilty, John Salt and Walasse Ting.
Lynda Benglis, ‘Knot/Hat with Green,’ estimated at $25,000-$35,000.
Image courtesy of Rago/Wright
Among the offerings of sculpture are Lynda Benglis’s earthenware ceramic Knot/Hat with Green, estimated at $25,000-$35,000; Arman’s Broken Cello, estimated at $20,000-$30,000; and Haim Steinbach’s together naturally v1, which has an estimate of $20,000-$30,000.
Olga de Amaral, ‘Estela 56,’ estimated at $150,000-$200,000. Image courtesy of Rago/Wright
Also featured is Olga de Amaral’s Estela 56, a gold leaf and gesso on linen work estimated at $150,000-$200,000, as well as selections from the Haas brothers, Alex Israel and Ai Weiwei.
Joseph Cornell, ‘A Valentine for Grace Hartigan,’ estimated at $6,000-$8,000. Image courtesy of Rago/Wright
Of special interest is a rare heart-shape pendant made by Joseph Cornell, dubbed the Valentine Object for Grace Hartigan, which carries an estimate of $6,000-$8,000.
Click to view top auction results on LiveAuctioneers: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/
