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A work from the Wassily Kandinsky ‘Kleine Welten’ (Small Worlds) portfolio. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.

Rare Kandinsky portfolio to be offered at Clars auction May 15

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

A work from the Wassily Kandinsky ‘Kleine Welten’ (Small Worlds) portfolio. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
A work from the Wassily Kandinsky ‘Kleine Welten’ (Small Worlds) portfolio. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
OAKLAND, Calif. – It’s the direct provenance from the artist himself as well as the rarity of a complete portfolio that make this coveted offering at Clars’ May sale so important.

Wassily Kandinsky (Russia/France, 1866-1944) renowned both for his abstract and non-objective work was also renowned for his political activism. The combination of both earned him the significant role as member of the avant-garde artists of the time. Deeply involved in the Bauhaus Movement, his work influenced the world both culturally and artistically catapulting the Modernist style to the forefront.

On Sunday, May 15, Clars Auction Gallery will present the rare and complete Wassily Kandinsky Kleine Welten (Small Worlds) portfolio as part of the Fine Art and Antiques Sale. LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

The Kandinsky Kleine Welten complete portfolio as given by the artist to Evelyn Susan Meyer (1889-1955) and subsequently descended through her family. Meyer was a friend of Kandinsky and the avant-garde artists and was also involved in the Bauhaus Movement. Meyer, a listed artist with a love of the art and great eye, built her own fine collection on a teacher’s salary.

This will be the fourth time this rare portfolio has surfaced in its entirety since 1989 at public auction. Clars has assigned an estimate of $150,000-$250,000 on this collection.

Of major importance as well is Andy Warhol’s 1964 Liz (FS7). This signed, offset lithograph limited to an edition of 300, Liz epitomizes Warhol’s fascination with celebrity, wealth, and audacious coloration. This iconic pop example serves as an homage to the recently deceased screen legend. The estimate of this work is $30,000-$50,000.

Other important modern and contemporary works to be auctioned during Clars’ May 15 sale include Tony Cragg’s bronze sculpture The Knot, an oil painting on glass by Richard Pettibone, Ansel Adam’s first published portfolio Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras, and two unique mixed media paintings by highly sought-after Iranian artist Sadegh Tabrizi.

Clars’ May Fine Art and Antiques Sale will be held Saturday, May 14, at 9:30 a.m. Pacific and Sunday, May 15, at 10 a.m. Previews will be Friday, May 13, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. each auction day and by special appointment. A full catalog will be available online at www.clars.com prior to the sale.

For details call Clars Auction Gallery at (888) 339-7600 or e-mail: info@clars.com.

Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94609.

 

 

View the fully illustrated catalogs and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

A work from the Wassily Kandinsky ‘Kleine Welten’ (Small Worlds) portfolio. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
A work from the Wassily Kandinsky ‘Kleine Welten’ (Small Worlds) portfolio. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
The rare and complete Wassily Kandinsky ‘Kleine Welten’ (Small Worlds) portfolio will be offered on May 15 as part of Clars’ Fine Art and Antiques Sale. Estimate $150,000 to $250,000. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
The rare and complete Wassily Kandinsky ‘Kleine Welten’ (Small Worlds) portfolio will be offered on May 15 as part of Clars’ Fine Art and Antiques Sale. Estimate $150,000 to $250,000. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
Andy Warhol's 1964 signed, offset lithograph ‘Liz’ will be offered at Clars’ Fine Art and Antiques Sale on May 15. Estimate: $30,000-$50,000. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.
Andy Warhol’s 1964 signed, offset lithograph ‘Liz’ will be offered at Clars’ Fine Art and Antiques Sale on May 15. Estimate: $30,000-$50,000. Image courtesy of Clars Auction Gallery.