WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.- One successful bidder (or their lucky sweetheart) will be walking away from Palm Beach Modern Auctions on Saturday, Feb. 8th with a one-of-a-kind monumental Tom Wesselmann ‘Steel Drawing’ sculpture titled Wildflower Bouquet (One-Handled Vase). The wall-spanning spray of vibrant blooms was formed using a laser-cutting technique the artist helped develop, which allowed him to meticulously reproduce his drawings in steel. Painted in the highly saturated colors the artist is known for, close inspection reveals subtle gradients and variations in the color, perhaps a second nod to the irony of presenting such delicate subject matter in a material known for its hardness.

Most of Tom Wesselmann’s ‘Steel Drawing’ sculptures on the market today are series pieces. Finding a unique piece like this, in this size and condition, with provenance from the prestigious Russeck Gallery on Palm Beach’s Worth Ave., is a golden opportunity for the right collector. Estimated at $150,000-250,000, the competition between rarefied and passionate collectors of his work is sure to be fierce.

Fortunately, Palm Beach Modern has a consolation prize to offer rivals in Saturday’s sale: the preceding lot is another Tom Wesselmann Wildflower Bouquet, this one a tall bouquet in striking black. Measuring 38” high, the enameled steel piece is from an edition of 30 and is no wallflower with an estimate of $20,000-40,000.

Palm Beach Modern’s February 8th auction highlights some of the most well-collected names in modern art and design, presented in three sessions:

Session I - Important Modern Art & Design (lots 1-224) is highlighted by a sweeping Ray Parker canvas in lipstick hues (lot 40).

Session II - Important Prints & Photographs (lots 225-235) offers some moody glamour with C-prints from fashion photographer Steven Klein, including lot 301 from his 2004 Mad Magic Magnificent series for Vogue Italy.

Session III - Urban & Pop Culture (lots 336-563) highlights 20th Century pop culture relics, with everything from vintage radios to celebrity ephemera to erotic sculpture available to the highest bidder. Lot 339, Andy Warhol’s Tom Royal blotted line drawing -- given personally by the subject as a wedding gift to New York designer George Halley -- is one to watch. Session III is produced in conjunction with Urban Culture Auctions, Palm Beach Modern’s pop culture division.

Palm Beach Modern Auctions accepts bids in the live audience, online (desktop or mobile app), by phone or in advance by absentee. Bidders and/or their experts are welcome to preview the sale in person, weekdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm ET and beginning at 9:00am on the day of the sale. The auction house is located at 417 Bunker Road, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33405.