FALLS CHURCH, Va. – On Thursday, May 14, Quinn’s Auction Galleries will present a 188-lot Modern Prints, Posters and Photographs auction with absentee and Internet live bidding available through LiveAuctioneers.
A solid selection of modern and contemporary American, European and Japanese prints will be offered, representing the work of widely collected international artists including Picasso and Matisse; and acclaimed artists from the D.C. metro area, such as Werner Drewes, Jack Perlmutter and Kathleen Spagnolo.
One of the sale’s top lots is by German Expressionist painter and printmaker Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (German, 1884-1976). The 1919 woodcut (above) is titled Russische Landschaft mit Kreuzweg (Russian Landscape with Crosswalk), measures 15 3/8 inches square, and is pencil-signed. Its preauction estimate is $3,000-$5,000.
A 1918 lithograph (below) by Childe Hassam (American, 1859-1935), Mrs. Hassam Knitting, is dedicated “to the soldiers and sailors” and was issued by the American Artists’ Emergency War Fund as World War I fundraiser. With a framed size of 15½ by 13½ inches, it could realize $1,000-$2,000.
There are several notable works by women artists, including Marie Laurencin (French, 1883-1956) and Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926). Laurencin’s 1950 wood engraving in colors on Van Gelder paper titled Portrait of Femme en Rouge is artist-signed and numbered 18 from an edition of 100. Its auction estimate is $800-$1,200. Additionally, the graphic arts portion of the sale contains a large group of prints and posters published by Serigrafia, including the complete Alphabet Series.
A small but select grouping of early 20th-century costume designs stylishly enhances this section, as well. A lot consisting of two original, circa-1930 gouache illustrations by Erte [Romain de Tirtoff] (Russian/French, 1892-1990) will be offered with a $1,000-$2,000 estimate.
Among the photographs in the auction are a number of portraits by premier artists of the medium, including Man Ray; and photo portraits in which roles are reversed and famous artists are the sitters, e.g., Cocteau, Leger, O’Keeffe and Calder.
A selection of Esther Bubley’s (American, 1921-1998) work is also featured. A prolific photographer of the mid 20th century, Bubley brought art to the commercial world through campaigns for Life magazine, Pepsi-Cola International, and the Standard Oil Co. She was especially accomplished in her ability to capture ordinary people in candid, everyday activities. Her circa-1955 gelatin silver prints of beachgoers in Trinidad and Guatemalans toting heavy cargo were shot on assignment for Pepsi-Cola. Each comes with family provenance and is estimated at $800-$1,200.
Fourteen images from a 1959 set of Richard Avedon (American, 1923-2004) 1st photo proofs for the Avedon/Truman Capote book Observations are group-estimated at $700-$900. Celebrities depicted include Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, Judy Garland, John Huston and Alfred Hitchcock.
Nearly two dozen posters will cross the auction block, displaying iconic images from World War I, the Art Deco era – including the stunning Leonetto Cappiello (French, 1857-1942) “Cognac Monnet” poster from 1927, estimate $1,000-$2,000 – and from the 1960s.
Artists’ posters include Chagalls and works by Hockney and Lichtenstein. A Paul Rand (American, 1914-1996), “Eye-Bee-M” (IBM) offset lithograph rebus poster printed in 1991 is expected to reach the $1,200-$1,600 range.
Lots 36 through 43 represent the work of widely collected Washington, D.C.-area artist Werner Drewes (1899-1985). The varied selection includes eight prints, both abstract and figurative in style, and includes Christmas cards and a 1973 woodcut self-portrait. Estimates range from $200-$300 up to $400-$600.
Quinn’s Thursday, May 14 online-only auction is open for absentee bidding now, with live online bidding available on auction day through LiveAuctioneers. For additional information about any item in the sale, email Catherine Payling at catherine.payling@quinnsauction.com.
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