Quality captivates - Expressionism and ZERO art on the upswing

Munich, 23 April 2010, (kk) - “About a year ago anxious prospects made for uncertainty, but the art market has not only proven stability in challenging times, it even reached new heights“, said Robert Ketterer, owner of Ketterer Kunst. “Its the quality that counts“, he continues in view of his main auction on 12 June 2010, which has its focal points on:
1. Modern Art
2. Post War/Contemporary Art

on 1: Modern Art

This section will be headed by two works from Gabriele Münter. A definite highlight is her “Landschaft mit Sonnenblumen“ from 1910, which has been estimated at Euro 250.000-350.000. The work is a prime example of the artist’s examination of a painting style that puts an emphasis on the contour. In favor of a more stringent color effect, Münter reduced all forms to black-bordered surfaces. Additionally, due to the strict geometry, the colors seem stronger. Her other work “Staffelsee“ (estimate: Euro 140.000-180.000) from 1934 also carries these outstanding features.

Another top lot will be a work by Wladimir Georgiewitsch von Bechtejeff. After having realized great achievements with “Die Kurtisane“ (result: Euro 474.000*), “Vier badende Mädchen“ (result: Euro 454.000*) and “Zirkusszene“ (result: Euro 300.000*) at Ketterer over the past few years, one can now look forward in excitement to the oil painting “Reptilien“ in a size of 65 x 85 cm. The estimate for the work from 1912 is at Euro 250.000-350.000.

With an estimate of Euro 100.000-150.000, a “Variation“ by Alexej von Jawlensky enters the race along with the oil painting “Holsteinisches Bauernhaus“ by Christian Rohlfs, who will also be represented with the tempera work “Blaues Haus“ (estimate: Euro 40.000-60.000). The title of Jawlensky’s “Variation“ says it all, as the artist is borne by color inspirations that he arranges in a composition of amorphic shapes. If the relation between music in abstract art is evoked time and again, it seems to have found a strong manifestation in Jawlensky’s “Variations”, in which the basic subject is modified over and over again. The same can be said about his “Stilleben: Grauer Klang“ from 1936. The estimate for the work in a size of 18,9 x 12,3 cm is at Euro 50.000-70.000, whereas the similar “Meditation No. 278“ in a small format can be acquired for Euro 45.000-55.000.

The field of sculptures and objects will be led by “La table grecque“ by Diego Giacometti. With this rectangular table (44 x 122 x 97 cm), of which there is also a square variant, the artist playfully realizes the table’s basic static functions. Its estimate is at Euro 120.000-150.000.

Ernst Barlach‘s bronze “Der Buchleser“, which has been estimated at Euro 60.000-80.000, is definitely less voluminous. The seated figure symbolizes an isolation from all that is profane. The simple forms, which are thickened to a compact mass in the heavy tucks of the robe, embody calmness and serenity.

The section of Modern Art is rounded off by works such as Erich Heckel‘s “Liegende“ (estimate: Euro 40.000-60.000) and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner‘s color pen drawing “Sitzende am Tisch“ (estimate: Euro 30.000-40.000) as well as works by the following artists: Herbert Bayer, Max Beckmann, Albert Birkle, Albert Bloch, Eward Cucuel, Sonia Delaunay-Terk, Kees van Dongen, Helmut vom Hügel gen. Kolle, Gustav Klimt, Tamara de Lempicka, August Macke, Ewald Mataré, Otto Mueller (two sheets from the ‘Zigeunermappe‘), Emil Nolde, Pablo Picasso, Hermann Max Pechstein and Arnold Topp.

on 2. Post War/Contemporary Art
Besides Tom Wesselmann‘s oil painting “Study for a Nude Painting Print“ from 1979, the composition “Andalousie“ by Maurice Estève from 1954 is also one of this section‘s highlights. The estimate for each work is at Euro 120.000-160.000. While Estève attained to create a new picture language, a sort of lyrical abstraction with the objective to depict shapes and colors in an almost poetic manner, the focus of Tom Wesselmann is on a critical examination of the consumer society and its influence on the individual.

ZERO art is currently on the upswing. More and more collectors fall for its meditative appeal, which is caused by the works‘ rhythm and dynamics. Particularly works by Günther Uecker are more sought-after than ever before. A definite highlight will be his nail work “Feld“ from 1964 that will enter the race at an estimate between Euro 200.000 and 300.000. Another work that will make for excitement in the auction room is his “Spirale“ in a size of 90 x 90 cm. It will be called up with an estimate of Euro 80.000-120.000.

Furthermore, two works by Gotthard Graubner also cut a fine figure. His large-size (200 x 200 cm) “Farbraumkörper (Gelb)“ from 1982/83 is estimated at Euro 50.000-70.000. An untitled work by the artist can be obtained for Euro 25.000-35.000. In this work in a size of ca. 55 x 60 cm Graubner manages to enhance the coincidental progression of the paint to color compositions of an impressive depth and presence by using nylon gauze.

A reduction to black and white, which is so characteristic of ZERO, can also be found in Heinz Mack‘s “Structure dynamique noire“ from 1962. In order to evade Tachism‘s formlessness and classical principles of composition, the artist created vibrating rhythm curves that are reminiscent of cardiograms. The work in a size of 109,5 x 129 cm has been estimated at Euro 40.000-60.000.

The range of ZERO offers is rounded off by works from Lucio Fontana and Raimund Girke.

Besides Johann Georg Müller‘s “Soho/Die Schau“, this section also comprises important works by the following artists: Georg Baselitz, Eduardo Chillida, Rupprecht Geiger, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Martin Kippenberger, Fritz Koenig, Norbert Kricke, Robert Longo, Adolf Luther, Richard Pettibone, Gerhard Richter, Julian Schnabel, Frank Stella and Emil Schumacher.

Preview:
Selected works will be shown:

Post Fine Arts, Brombergstr. 17c, 79107 Freiburg
16 May, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
17 May, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

F. G. Conzen GmbH, Völklinger Str. 24, 40221 Düsseldorf
19 May, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Kunsthandel Michael Draheim, Taunustr. 9, 65183 Wiesbaden
21 May, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Ketterer Kunst, Am Meßberg 1, 20095 Hamburg
25 May, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
26 May, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Ketterer Kunst, Fasanenstr. 70, 10719 Berlin
28 May, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
29 - 30 May, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
31 May -4 June, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

All works will be shown:

Ketterer Kunst, Joseph-Wild-Str. 18, 81829 München-Riem
05 - 06 June, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
07 - 09 June, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
10 June, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
11 June, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Auction:
Ketterer Kunst, Joseph-Wild-Str. 18, München-Riem
12 June, as of 1 p.m., Modern Art
followed by Post War/Contemporary Art

* The result is the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

Since it was founded in 1954, Ketterer Kunst has been firmly established in the front ranks of auction houses dealing in art and rare books, with its headquarters in Munich and a branch in Hamburg. Gallery rooms in Berlin as well as representatives in Heidelberg and Krefeld have contributed substantially to the company's success. Ketterer Kunst has further rounded off its portfolio with the prestigious Ernest Rathenau Verlag, New York/Munich. In addition, exhibitions, special theme and charity auctions as well as online auctions are regular events at Ketterer Kunst.

Ketterer Kunst
Joseph-Wild-Str. 18
81829 München
GERMANY
Tel. +49-(0)55244-444
Fax.: +49-(0)55244-177
E-mail: infomuenchen@kettererkunst.de

This release was published on openPR.