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Roland puts couple’s modern art collection up for bid Sept. 25  

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
modern art
Christo (Bulgarian-American, b. 1935,’ ‘Floating Island (Two Images).’ Two multi-media, crayon and watercolors on paper, both framed. Image One: 28½ x 22½ x 1½in. Image Two: 28 ½ x 11 1/4 x 1 ½in. One signed and dated lower right, ‘Christo 1982.’ Estimate: $80,000-$100,000. Roland image

GLEN COVE, N.Y. – On Tuesday, Sept. 25, Roland Auctions will sell 15 fine works of contemporary and modern art from the collection of Dr. Richard and Odile Stern. Works by Jean-Claude and Christo, Larry Rivers and John Kacere lead the sale, which will begin at noon Eastern Time. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

The Sterns met in upstate New York, where Odile was a waitress in the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship, and where Richard was working for the New York State Department of Health. The couple married in 1952. Dr. Stern became a dentist, while Odile worked for the French Embassy. During this time, the Sterns befriended Laura and Lou Pollack, who ran the Peridot Gallery. The Pollacks introduced the Sterns to artist Stanley Twardowitz and life for the Sterns was changed forever.

As Dr. Stern’s reputation as a good dentist became grew, so did his friendships with various artists: Larry Rivers, Cristophe and Jeanne Claude Christo, Howard Kanowitz, John Kacere, Niki de St. Phalle, Nam June Paik, Yves Tinguely, Antoni Miralda, Steve Gianakos, Annellii Arms and John Button to name a few. Their works adorned the walls of the Stern’s large apartment for decades. When they ran out of wall space, the Sterns hung paintings from the ceilings. Dr. Stern died last year, and Odile Stern moved to smaller quarters within a stone’s throw of her former home.

Among other fine works, Christo’s double image Floating Island of 1982, is expected to bring $80,000-$100,000 and is one of the highlights of this section of the Roland sale.

The auction will begin with a large self-portrait by Larry Rivers (below) that is expected to sell for $12,000-$18,000.

modern art
Larry Rivers (American, 1923-2002) ‘Self Portrait,’ oil on canvas, unframed, unsigned, circa 1970, 30in x 30in. Estimate: $12,000-$18,000. Roland image

Also included in the Sept. 25 auction are selected additions, another 16 works from three private collections. A fine abstract by Modernist Alfonso Ossorio (1916-1990) is titled 20-VII-83, which is estimated to bring $40,000-$60,000.

modern art
Alfonso Ossorio (Filipino-American, 1916–1990) abstract watercolor, ink, wax on mounted paper. Framed, sight: 40 x 30in. Frame: 46 x 36in, signed and dated, lower right, ‘20-VII-83.’ Estimate: $40,000-$60,000. Roland image

Lot 25 is a subtle view of New York City at night, City Lights by George Benjamin Luks (1866–1933). The painting was a gift from Raphael Soyer to the current owner’s mother. It is estimated to realize $30,000-$40,000.

modern art
George Benjamin Luks (American, 1866-1933) ‘City Lights,’ oil painting, circa 1930. Framed, sight: 19½ x 15½ in. Outer frame: 23¼ x 19¼ in. Signed lower right ‘George/Luks.’ Estimate: $30,000-$40,000. Roland image

Larry Poons (born 1937) painted the untitled abstract acrylic on canvas, lot 29, in 1977. Its lush use of color splotches and textures makes the tall work appear like faux bois and jeweled tones together. It is expected to realize $20,000-$30,000.

British sculptress Lynn Chadwick is the artist behind First Stairs, of 1991, lot 15. This fine patinated bronze (below) was exhibited in Caracas in 1993 before wending its way to North America. The sculpture is estimated at $150,000-$200,000.

modern art
Lynn Chadwick (British, 1914-2003) ‘First Stairs,’ patinated bronze sculpture, 19½ x 9¾ x 9 7/8in, incised with edition number ‘4/9’ at base, circa 1991. Estimate: $150,000-$200,000 Provenance Property of a Lady. Roland image

For further information contact Roland New York, info@rolandauctions.com.

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modern art