Kathe Köllwitz (1867-1945) ‘Abschied’ (Farewell), charcoal on gray-blue laid paper. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
CLEVELAND – Gray’s begins the year with their 64th auction on Jan. 30 featuring fine works of art by Rodin, Picasso and Miró, and a rare Kathe Köllwitz drawing. The sale will begin at 11 a.m. EST. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
The large-scale original charcoal drawing by German Expressionist Kathe Köllwitz titled Abschied (Farewell) was discovered by auctioneer Deba Gray to the delight of the consignor who was unaware of its rarity. Gray recognized the work as a study for Köllwitz’s etching Tod, Frau und Kind (Death Woman and Child), circa 1910.
The auction also features a whimsical watercolor by the Catalan artist Joan Miró titled Man, Moon and Tree (Lot 45). This watercolor is a wonderful example of Miró’s oft quoted philosophy “The spectacle of the sky overwhelms me. I’m overwhelmed when I see, in an immense sky, the crescent of the moon, or the sun. There, in my pictures, tiny forms in huge empty spaces. Empty spaces, empty horizons, empty plains – everything which is bare has always greatly impressed me” (from Twentieth-Century Artists on Art, 1958).
Lot 54 is a diminutive yet athletic bronze titled Mouvement de Danse C, from an edition of 12 by Auguste Rodin. It is signed “A. Rodin No. 9©” on the bottom of the sculpture’s left foot. Gray believes this to be a version cast by the Georges Rudier Foundry in 1956. It was purchased from a gallery in London in December 1956 by its current owner.
Gray’s first auction of 2013 features an extraordinarily strong selection of fine works of art. The list continues with Degas’ iconic bronze Le Tub. Cast shortly after 1919, this bronze was examined by Clare Vincent, Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, who determined it was an authentic cast made by the Hébrard Foundry. Charles Millard called Le Tub “the most original, not only of his own pieces, but of all 19th century sculptures.” (C.W. Millard, op, cit., page 107).
In May 1942, Martin Fabian published the Historie Naturelle by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, illustrated by Picasso. This auction features La Langouste, a full-sheet artist’s proof on Vidalon wove paper with Ambroise Vollard watermark. It is signed and number II/V in pencil, together with an original cover page.
Other notable works in this well-rounded auction include a stunning life-size marble by William Calder Marshall titled Country Girl, signed and dated 1882 on the base, a muscular bronze by Alfred Boucher titled Le Terrassier signed on the base, and a captivating Hans Erni tempera on paper titled Boy Leaning on Table #75, signed and dated “Erni 53” on the lower left. Lot 41 is a drawing by Marc Chagall, depicting a head in profile that is signed with a personal dedication.
Furniture includes a late 19th/early 20th century English heavily carved walnut buffet. The decorative arts portion of the auction is highlighted by a pair of Louis Comfort Tiffany Favrile glass shades with a gold damascene pattern.
Gray’s Auctioneers and Appraisers conducts live auctions every month and offers complimentary valuations every day.
Condition reports and shipping quotes are provided on request. For more information please contact Serena Harragin at 216-458-7695 or by email at serena@graysauctioneers.com
Online Live bidding for this auction is offered by liveauctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Kathe Köllwitz (1867-1945) ‘Abschied’ (Farewell), charcoal on gray-blue laid paper. Gray’s Auctioneers image. Hans Erni (b. 1909) ‘Boy Leaning on Table #75,’ tempera on paper. Gray’s Auctioneers image. Joan Miró (1893-1983) ‘Man, Moon and Tree,’ watercolor on paper. Gray’s Auctioneers image. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) ‘La Langouste,’ aquatint and drypoint. Gray’s Auctioneers image. Edgar Degas (1834-1917) ‘Le Tub,’ bronze. Gray’s Auctioneers image. Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) ‘Mouvement de Danse C,’ bronze. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
