S otheby’s Switzerland is delighted to present the Modern & Contemporary Auction, a cross-category sale in Zurich extending beyond borders to include renowned Swiss artists alongside international Impressionist, Modern, Contemporary art and Photography. The sale will be open for bidding from 29 November to 8 December 2022. All lots will be displayed in our Zurich galleries from 1 to 7 December 2022.
We are proud to offer a wide range of works by sought-after Swiss and international artists, such as Vieira da Silva, Soulages, Disler, Sam Francis or Adolf Dietrich which have been in private hands for several decades and appear for the first time at auction such as a stunning biomorphic sculpture by Arp “Bourgeon d’éclair” conceived in 1966. This impressive polished bronze work may be considered as culmination among Jean Arp’s later work and is part of a large Swiss private collection carefully curated during a time span of over 40 years, through privileged and direct contacts with European modern artists as well as leading figures of the Swiss art scene.
This prestigious Swiss collection includes an important early work by Antoni Tapies executed in 1955, demonstrating a strong stylistic maturity epitomizing Tàpies's material abstraction. Created to be contemplated at eye level, the relief reveals an almost unlimited range of potential metaphors while retaining the mystery of what lies underneath.
Similarly, “Repos de Midi” by Vieira da Silva stands out in the sale as one of the top lots not to be missed. Executed in 1948, the artwork can be considered as a fully mature work for the artist, characteristic of the Zeitgeist of Vieira da Silva. The qualities of the artwork notably convinced the famous American collector Larry Aldrich to start his collection in 1951. Between 1959 – 1962, the artwork was exhibited in several fine American museum. Since then, the artwork has remained in private hands and has never appeared in the market.
The sale brings together works by leading international artists, such as Fang Lijun, Antoni Tapies, Maqbool Fidal Husain and Zao Wou-Ki.
Conceived and cast in 1928, we are also delighted to present an exceptional and exceedingly rare bronze by François Pompon, "Pigeonne au nid cylindrique" only known by one other example held at the Musée Pompon in Saulieu, France. This unique example which never appeared to the market can be considered as a masterpiece of Pompon's art, revealing a perfection rarely equalled.
The sale is featuring a later work by Fang Lijun executed in 2007, part of his Amnesia and Memory series characterized by the step back the artist took from the Cynical Abstraction movement he led, but instead turning to more introspective subjects. Contrary to his early works, the utopian cloud landscape is appeased but also more fantastical where bees, typical inexpressive bald faces and faint characters are less referring to tangible reality than existentialist metaphors.
Leading the sale is a vibrant watercolor by Zao Wou-Ki, dated 1960 during one of the artist’s most significant periods, the artwork can be considered as a milestone in its research for abstraction.
Representative of the connection the artist made between his Chinese roots and the international contemporary art scene; this exquisite work expresses a more contemplative feeling leading him to lyrical abstraction.
Leading the sale, “Blühende Wiese bei Stampa” by Giovanni Giacometti offers an exquisite view of the village where the artist spent the last forty years of his life. Combining traditionalism and modernity through the depiction of colourful atmospheres, Giacometti embraced the artistic innovations of his time and offered a personal interpretation, influenced by Impressionism, Fauvism and Neo-Impressionism.
“Le Vigneron” by Ernest Biéler is another highlight of the sale. Through this portrait of a winemaker, Biéler succeeds in revealing the authenticity and traditions of rural life in reaction to the industrialization and social transformation within Switzerland during the early 20th Century.
The sale also features important fresh-to-the-market works from Swiss masters recognized beyond boarders such as Nicolas Party, Martin Disler or Franz Gertsch.
Antoni Tàpies
Peinture XXXVI
Estimate: CHF 200,000-300,000
