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cultural art

Artemis Gallery to auction film legend Anthony Quinn’s cultural art collection, Feb. 27

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
cultural art
Lovely Roman Imperial Period (circa 2nd-3rd century CE) marble head of a female subject, 16.4in high. Estimate $16,000-$24,000

BOULDER, Colo. – Artemis Gallery takes great pleasure in announcing a February 27 online auction through LiveAuctioneers consisting exclusively of cultural artworks acquired by screen legend and “Renaissance man” Anthony Quinn (1915-2001). A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit The Anthony Quinn Foundation, which was established by Quinn’s wife, Katherine Quinn, to fund arts scholarships for youth and advocate for arts education.

Portion of proceeds to benefit The Anthony Quinn Foundation, which funds arts scholarships and advocates for arts education

cultural art
Early 20th-century CE African (Burkina Faso, Mossi peoples) carved wood figure of female known as a ‘ninana.’ Size: 7.5in x 26in high (27.5in high inclusive of base/stand). Estimate $3,000-$4,500

The 150-lot sale includes a wonderful variety of objects that Anthony Quinn amassed throughout his adult life. The collection encompasses art and historical objects from Ancient Egyptian, Greek, African, Asian and European civilizations, as well as cultures that reflect the actor’s own Mexican heritage. Long before the world caught “antiques fever” from the abundance of TV shows focused on collecting, Quinn was already presciently acquiring pieces from trustworthy sources whenever filming took him to remote or exotic locales.

cultural art
18th-century CE thangka with depiction of White Tara Bodhisattva surrounded by Buddhist deities, Tibet, distemper on cloth, gilt frame. Exhibited in 2006-2009 traveling exhibition of Anthony Quinn’s collection. Estimate $5,000-$8,000

During his long and illustrious acting career, Quinn performed in some 200 films and received numerous honors for his craft. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor twice (“Viva Zapata!” in 1952 and “Lust for Life” in 1957), received two nominations for Best Leading Actor (most notably for the titular role in “Zorba the Greek” in 1964), received five Golden Globe nominations, two BAFTA Award nominations, and was presented with the coveted Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1987 Golden Globe Awards ceremony.

cultural art
Superb Teotihuacan (Mexican) maskette carved from sage green omphacite jade, circa 250-450 CE. Expressive facial features. Size: 3.7in x 3.8in. Estimate $7,000-$10,000

While building his admirable collection of cultural art, Quinn also immersed himself in painting and sculpting at his own studio. His considerable talent could be traced back to his youth, when he first learned to sketch and work in plaster. He subsequently won an architectural design competition that rewarded him with a Taliesen Fellowship, which gave him the opportunity to apprentice briefly with the great Frank Lloyd Wright. It was an experience that would shape the direction of his life forever. Upon Wright’s recommendation, Quinn took acting lessons as a form of post-operative speech therapy, which led to a remarkable acting career lasting more than six decades.

cultural art
Circa 15th century CE German hand-carved wood sculpture of kneeling Jesus in the moment known in Christian history as ‘Ecce Homo.’ Size: 7.2in x 15.2in high (18.5in high inclusive of base/stand). Exhibited in 2006-2009 traveling exhibition of Anthony Quinn’s collection. Estimate $5,000-$8,000

Quinn’s talent was widely recognized by others. In 2008, art critic Donald Kuspit said: “Examining Quinn’s many expressions of creativity together – his art, collecting, and acting – we can see that he was a creative genius.”

cultural art
Signed Heriberto Juarez (Mexican, 1932-2008), untitled brass mask, circa 1960s. Size: 6.7in x 8.5in. Estimate $2,400-$3,600

Artemis Gallery Executive Director Teresa Dodge observed: “Many people know Anthony Quinn from his renowned performances as a Hollywood actor but not as many know that he had a lifelong passion for art. He embraced the visual arts with curiosity, intelligence and boundless enthusiasm, and that is amply reflected in the objects he chose for his personal collection.”

cultural art
17th -century reverse-on-glass painting of a putto covering a nude man with a red cloak. Western European, probably Italian. Modern gilt wood frame. Size: 7.5in x 4.8in (sight) / 11.8in x 8.8in (framed). Estimate $1,400-$2,100

Artemis Gallery’s online auction of cultural art from the Anthony Quinn collection will begin at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 27, 2022. All items come with Artemis Gallery’s guarantee that they are authentic and legal to purchase, own, and if desired, resell. An Artemis Gallery COA will accompany each purchase. The company ships worldwide and has its own in-house white-glove packing and shipping department to ensure quality control.

cultural art
Ancient Greek (Late Bronze Age to Archaic Period, circa 16th- to 5th century BCE) copper axe or hammer head with images of bulls and what appears to be a human figure molded upon the faces. Size: $5.5in x 0.875in x 2.5in Estimate $4,000-$6,000

Absentee bidding is currently in progress. Detailed, authoritative descriptions and multiple photographic views of each auction lot may be viewed in the online catalog. For additional information about any item in the auction, call Teresa Dodge at 720-890-7700 or email  teresa@artemisgallery.com. Bid absentee or live via the Internet through through LiveAuctioneers.

Learn more about the Anthony Quinn Foundation at aqfoundation.org.

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cultural art