ZURICH.- Banksy’s ‘Flower Thrower Triptych (Grey)’ headlines the Prints & Multiples auction. In a version from 2019, the street artist separates his best-known images into three parts, accentuating the movement (lot 3707, CHF 180 000 / 240 000). An impressive work in the PostWar & Contemporary sale is ‘SFERA’ by Arnaldo Pomodoro, a gold-patinated bronze sphere from the mid-60s, in which he creates a tension between the perfectly polished exterior and the complexities which are partially revealed in its interior (lot 3432, CHF 150 000 / 200 000). Zdenek Sykora was known for his partially computer-generated line paintings, and two of these are featured in the 1 December auction, ‘No. 8 – Trio Op 2’, 1978 (lot 3462, CHF 150 000 / 250 000), and ‘Linie No 65’, 1990 (lot 3463, CHF 70 000 / 90 000). A monumental sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle, ‘L'Oiseau amoureux’, 1990/92, is an iconic work by the artist and comes from a Swiss private collection (lot 3453, CHF 140 000 / 180 000).

Swiss Art, 2 December

A group of important and exceptionally attractive works from a Swiss private collection will be offered on 2 December. Featuring paintings by Albert Anker, Robert Zünd, and Giovanni and Augusto Giacometti, these works have seldom changed hands since their creation and have remained in the same collection for decades. ‘Girl peeling potatoes’ by Albert Anker (lot 3013, CHF 900 000 / 1 400 000), is a particularly beautiful rendering of an everyday chore transformed into an act of meditation. Three significant works by Giovanni Giacometti come from this collection, including two splendid landscapes: ‘Capolago’ (lot 3046, CHF 300 000 / 400 000), and a summer Engadine landscape (lot 3048, CHF 180 000 / 250 000).

Further important works from other private collections include such masterpieces as Cuno Amiet’s ‘The Truth’, 1913, in which the feminine figure is set in stark contrast to the orange background, creating an otherworldly, mystic atmosphere (lot 3031, CHF 800 000 / 1 200 000). Two works by Ferdinand Hodler will be offered: an impressive portrait of one of his preferred models, Giulia Leonardi (lot 3034, CHF 300 000 / 500 000), and an early landscape entitled ‘Les Petits-Lacs’ (lot 3025, CHF 300 000 / 500 000). An intriguing composition by Félix Vallotton, ‘Femme nue agenouillée devant un canapé rouge’, is fascinating in its use of planes of colour to create an enigmatic scene (lot 3053, CHF 500 000 / 700 000).

Impressionist & Modern Art, 2 December

A very early and important abstract work by Frantisek Kupka, ‘Dominante Rouge (Le Rouge Emporte)’ from 1913/14 belongs to one of the most intense creative phases of the artist, one of the founders of abstract painting (lot 3235, 350 000 / 500 000). Lovis Corinth’s ‘Night at Walchensee’ depicts the view from Corinth’s beloved cabin on the Alpine lake (lot 3251, CHF 200 000 / 300 000). Further highlights include paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (lot 3206, CHF 200 000 / 300 000), Giorgio de Chirico (lot 3264, CHF 140 000 / 180 000), a bronze sculpture by Aristide Maillol, ‘La femme à l’écharpe’ (lot 3220, CHF 100 000 / 150 000), and four paintings by the Hungarian Modernist artist Janos Vaszary (lots 3228 – 3231, CHF 50 000 / 70 000 to CHF 80 000 / 120 000).