Chairs embroidered with Picasso custom art commanded $228K at Piasa

One from a pair of Louis XIII dining chairs upholstered with Picasso’s tapestry designs, which sold for €210,600 ($228,465) at Piasa.

PARIS – The February 15 sale at Piasa titled Pablo Picasso and his Friends included a series of artworks to which the great man had contributed in some way. Items from the collection of the French banker and Modern art collector Max Pellequer included a pair of otherwise humble Louis XIII dining chairs upholstered with two simple tapestry designs supplied to the necessary dimensions by Picasso in 1959. Thought to be the only chairs made to the design, they were embroidered by Pellequin’s wife Francine.

The two original sketches of a pensive face and a jolly creature with horns were individually estimated at €60,000-€90,000 ($65,090-$97,635), and each hammered at the low estimate and sold for €78,000 ($84,615) with buyer’s premium. Although both were signed and dedicated on the verso, only the Indian ink outline had been done by Picasso, with the colors added later in pencil by another hand (probably Francine Pellequer herself when choosing her palette).

However, the chairs, estimated at €4,000-€6,000 ($4,340-$6,510), found a far more enthusiastic response, together hammering for €162,000 and selling for €210,600 ($228,465) with buyer’s premium. The sale was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

One from a pair of Louis XIII dining chairs upholstered with Picasso’s tapestry designs, which sold for €210,600 ($228,465) at Piasa.

One from a pair of Louis XIII dining chairs upholstered with Picasso’s tapestry designs, which sold for €210,600 ($228,465) at Piasa.

1959 Pablo Picasso Indian ink drawing Tête, Tapestry Project, which sold for €78,000 ($84,615) at Piasa.

1959 Pablo Picasso Indian ink drawing Tête, Tapestry Project, which sold for €78,000 ($84,615) at Piasa.

1959 Pablo Picasso Indian ink drawing Tête, Tapestry Project, which sold for €78,000 ($84,615) at Piasa.

1959 Pablo Picasso Indian ink drawing Tête, Tapestry Project, which sold for €78,000 ($84,615) at Piasa.

Roland Arkell

Roland Arkell

Roland Arkell is editor of Auction Central News and deputy editor at Antiques Trade Gazette. He has been writing about all aspects of the art and antiques market for more than 25 years.

Museum-quality pieces throughout Artemis Gallery’s June 29 Exceptional Antiquities Auction

Ancient Egyptian sandstone panel with three fragmentary columns of inscribed hieroglyphs and a left-facing female figure, perhaps a goddess consort. Late Third Intermediate or Ptolemaic Period, circa 760-30 BCE. Height: 20.5in. Exhibited at LA County Museum of Art; Arizona Museum of Art; and the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art, California State University, San Bernardino, California. Published in important 1992 reference written by Dr. Gerry D. Scott III. Provenance: Collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer Jr. Estimate $45,000-$67,500

BOULDER, Colo. – Internationally known and frequently called upon for expert consultation, Artemis Gallery has auctioned some of the world’s finest collections of ancient, cultural and ethnographic art. Each of their auction events is expertly curated, with careful thought given to including historical treasures to please both the connoisseur and motivated new collector. Artemis Gallery’s Thursday, June 29 lineup features a stellar array of objects with deep provenance – some whose trail of ownership can traced back as far as the turn of the 20th century.

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Palm Beach gallery joins Picasso celebrations with show of prints, ceramics

Pablo Picasso, ‘Exposition Valluris 1962,’ 1962. Linoleum cut print, 25 by 21in (63.5 by 53.3cm), edition of 175. Image courtesy of Rosenbaum Contemporary gallery
Pablo Picasso, ‘AR 250 - Hen sujet (Hen Subject),’ 1954. White earthenware turned pitcher painted in blue, 4 7/8 by 7 by 4in (12.4 by 17.8 by 10.2cm), edition of 500. Image courtesy of Rosenbaum Contemporary gallery
Pablo Picasso, ‘AR 250 – Hen sujet (Hen Subject),’ 1954. White earthenware turned pitcher painted in blue, 4 7/8 by 7 by 4in (12.4 by 17.8 by 10.2cm), edition of 500. Image courtesy of Rosenbaum Contemporary gallery

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Picasso: Celebrating 50 Years, an exhibition of ceramics and prints by the peerless 20th-century artist, will be on view through May 31 at Rosenbaum Contemporary’s Palm Beach gallery. With this exhibition, Rosenbaum Contemporary joins more than 50 museums throughout the world this year in honoring the legacy of Pablo Picasso, whose influence on the art world still continues five decades after his death on April 8, 1973.

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Guggenheim readies Young Picasso in Paris show for May opening

Pablo Picasso, ‘Le Moulin de la Galette,’ Paris, circa November 1900. Oil on canvas, 89.7 by 116.8cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Thannhauser collection, gift, Justin K. Thannhauser 78.2514.34. Photo credit David Heald, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York © 2023 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Pablo Picasso, ‘Le Moulin de la Galette,’ Paris, circa November 1900. Oil on canvas, 89.7 by 116.8cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Thannhauser collection, gift, Justin K. Thannhauser 78.2514.34. Photo credit David Heald, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York © 2023 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Pablo Picasso, ‘Le Moulin de la Galette,’ Paris, circa November 1900. Oil on canvas, 89.7 by 116.8cm. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Thannhauser collection, gift, Justin K. Thannhauser 78.2514.34. Photo credit David Heald, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York © 2023 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

NEW YORK — The Guggenheim Museum will present Young Picasso in Paris, an intimate exhibition comprising a total of 10 paintings and works on paper executed during Pablo Picasso’s introduction to the French capital. Young Picasso in Paris will open on May 12 and continue through August 6.

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Spain, France kick off anniversary celebration of Picasso

Standing before Picasso’s ‘Guernica,’ Miquel Iceta, Ministry of Culture and Sport of Spain and Rima Abdul Malak, Minister of Culture of France announced plans for a slate of exhibits and other events to commemorate the upcoming 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s death. Image courtesy of the photographic archive of the Museo Reina Sofía.
Standing before Picasso’s ‘Guernica,’ Miquel Iceta of the Ministry of Culture and Sport of Spain and Rima Abdul Malak, Minister of Culture of France announced plans for a slate of exhibits and other events to commemorate the upcoming 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s death. Image courtesy of the photographic archive of the Museo Reina Sofia

MADRID (AP) – Against the backdrop of Picasso’s iconic anti-war painting, Guernica, the culture ministers of France and Spain gathered earlier this month in Madrid’s Reina Sofia Museum to kick off a year of commemorative acts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the death of the Spanish artist who revolutionized the world of art. In Picasso Celebration, France and Spain will be organizing more than 40 exhibitions, conferences and events in museums in Madrid, Paris, Barcelona, Malaga and other cities in Europe and North America during the next 12 months.

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Artemis Gallery to auction antiquities, ethnographica, Picasso pottery, May 19

Gandharan Empire schist sculpture of Bodhisattva Maitreya (The Earthly Buddha), 3rd century CE, exquisitely carved to show deity in lotus position, wearing ‘jewelry’ with billowing folds of a lengthy robe secured by a stippled belt. Size: 10.6in wide, 12.6in high; 15.3in high when measured with included custom stand. Refer to examples at Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. Purchased in Afghanistan in 1961. Estimate $22,000-$33,000

BOULDER, Colo. – On Thursday, May 19, Artemis Gallery will auction a very special collection of fine art from the Hollywood Hills that includes coveted Picasso and Rookwood ceramics. This lively private collection is a featured highlight of the company’s 153-lot auction event composed primarily of classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from many of the world’s most influential and celebrated cultures. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African/tribal, Oceanic and Spanish Colonial-era civilizations are represented. All auction items are guaranteed to be authentic, legally acquired and legal to resell, if desired. Bid absentee or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.

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Artemis Gallery to auction exceptional antiquities, cultural & fine art, March 24

Rare Ancient Egyptian Pre-Dynastic (Naqada II to Naqada III, circa 3500-3000 BCE) terracotta canoe-form boat model with pinched keel, 19in long. Published in 1909 reference ‘The Light of Egypt,’ by Robert de Rustafjaell, who found the relic at Gebelein, 17 miles from Luxor. Extensive provenance, including Sotheby’s London, January 20-24, 1913. Estimate $40,000-$50,000

BOULDER, Colo. – Discerning collectors of cultural art always look forward to Artemis Gallery’s auctions produced under the “Exceptional Antiquities” banner. That particular series of sales represents the finest ancient, ethnographic and fine art consignments entrusted to the renowned Artemis team for expert vetting, marketing and sale. The next Exceptional Auction is slated for Thursday, March 24, and as always, each item will convey to its new owner with an Artemis Gallery Certificate of Authenticity.

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Picasso heirs clarify no ‘Picasso NFT’ is being sold online

Portrait photograph of Pablo Picasso, taken in 1908. His heirs have clarified that they have not authorized the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) based on the legendary artist’s work. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; it is in the public domain in the United States because it was published or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office before January 1, 1927.
Portrait photograph of Pablo Picasso, taken in 1908. His heirs have clarified that they have not authorized the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) based on the legendary artist’s work. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; it is in the public domain in the United States because it was published or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office before January 1, 1927.
Portrait photograph of Pablo Picasso, taken in 1908. The artist’s heirs have clarified that they have not authorized the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) based on his work. Image is in the public domain in the United States because it was published or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office before January 1, 1927. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

GENEVA (AP) – Pablo Picasso’s family is not selling a digital asset linked to one of his works after all. After a granddaughter and great-grandson of the artist trumpeted the upcoming sale, lawyers for the family said Thursday that his heirs have not authorized the launch of any such “Picasso NFT.” An intra-family disagreement has cropped up over it.

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John Richardson’s final Picasso book arrives in November

Cover of ‘A Life of Picasso: The Minotaur Years,’ by John Richardson, which debuts November 16. Image courtesy of Knopf
Cover of ‘A Life of Picasso: The Minotaur Years,’ by John Richardson, which debuts November 16. Image courtesy of Knopf
Cover of ‘A Life of Picasso: The Minotaur Years,’ by John Richardson, which debuts November 16. Courtesy of Knopf

NEW YORK (AP) – In the fall of 2018, art historian John Richardson fell critically ill and died the following March, at age 95. He left behind a distinguished record as a critic, curator and biographer and questions about the fate of one of the art world’s longest awaited volumes, his fourth and final book on Pablo Picasso. Shelley Wanger, his editor at Alfred A. Knopf, explained during a recent interview that she and Richardson had been working “on a typed manuscript” that they would review together when she came to see him each week. By the time he was hospitalized, they had what she calls “essentially a finished manuscript,” save for end notes, illustrations and some additional research. Richardson’s A Life of Picasso: The Minotaur Years, which comes out Nov. 16, completes a project he began more than 30 years ago with The Prodigy and continued with The Cubist Rebel and The Triumphant Years.

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Rembrandt propels Swann May 6 prints auction to $1.8M

Rembrandt van Rijn, ‘Joseph Telling His Dream,’ which sold for $32,500, a record for the print.
Rembrandt van Rijn, ‘Joseph Telling His Dream,’ which sold for $32,500, a record for the print.
Rembrandt van Rijn, ‘Joseph Telling His Dream,’ which sold for $32,500, a record for the print.

NEW YORK — Swann Galleries’ sale of Old Master Through Modern Prints on May 6 delivered $1.8 million in sales, and saw seven print records set. “There was robust and consistent interest in Old Master prints, with several new artist records set for prints by Rembrandt, Goya, and Piranesi, and Modern prints were tenaciously contested as usual,” noted Todd Weyman, the house’s director of prints and drawings.

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