MUMBAI.- AstaGuru reaches an international milestone with its upcoming International Iconic auction set to showcase a medley of works by revered and iconic global artists. The stunning lineup of the auction scheduled on November 28-29, 2022, represents some of the most important moments in modern art history. The highlight of the auction is a beautiful painting by French Impressionist master Pierre Auguste- Renoir, who created an extraordinary artistic legacy with his fascinating canvases bearing shimmering landscapes, sublime female nudes, sunkissed bathers, and charming portraits. This work was once in the collection of seminal novelist Somerset Maugham. The painting also featured on the cover of his book Purely For My Pleasure, published in 1962.
The collection also puts a spotlight on the emergence and impact of modern art towards the mid twentieth century with creations by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Fernand Léger, Bernard Buffet, Marc Chagall, and Salvador Dali. A unique work by a famous pop artist Andy Warhol will also be offered. The collection also showcases experimentative artworks by leading contemporary artists including Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, Robert Indiana, and Marc Sijan among others.
Talking about the landmark auction, Siddanth Shetty, Vice President, Business Strategy and Operations, AstaGuru Auction House, says The upcoming auction is a remarkable milestone in AstaGurus journey. We are extremely happy to curate a collection which brings together works of several historic and big names from the history of modern and contemporary art and does complete justice to the auction titled International Iconic. At the same time, knowing our collector's passionate approach towards diversifying their collections, we are certain that the auction is highly anticipated and will definitely witness enthusiastic bidding.
Leading the auction line is lot no.8, a beautiful work by French Impressionist master Pierre AugusteRenoir, who created an extraordinary artistic legacy with his fascinating canvases bearing sublime female nudes. Titled Baigneuse Assise or the Seated Bather, the circa 1915 work was once in the collection of seminal novelist Somerset Maugham. The painting also featured on the cover of his book Purely For My Pleasure, published in 1962. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 4,34, 50,000 5,53,00,000.
A work by Henri Matisse, lot no.1 is defined with simplistic and elegant unshaded lines formed the basis of his famous Thèmes et Variations sequence of paintings. Titled Femme et Bouquets, this 1940 work was illustrated in a book titled Matisse, by Pierre Schneider. It is estimated to be sold at INR 1,97,50,000 2,76,50,000.
A collection of such unique works by Salvador Dali will be showcased with lot no. 2,3,and 4. These works belong to a limited series of 78 custom decks of tarot cards known as Dalis Universal Tarot. The work was first commissioned to him by a Hollywood producer Albert Broccoli,and was meant to be used as a prop in the James Bond film Live and Let Die. Each of the cards is estimated to be acquired at INR 19,75,000 27,65,000.
Pablo Picasso is known as one of the foremost figures of modern art. A work by him, lot.no.5 executed with coloured wax crayon on paper in 1969 is also a part of the auction. This work is offered at an estimate of INR 2,37,00,000 3,95,00,000.
Lot no. 7, a work by Marc Chagall depicts a violin, a key recurring motif that Marc Chagall used in his paintings. Titled Violoniste Au Village Enneigé, it will be offered at an estimate of INR 3,00, 20,000 3,79, 20,000.
Lot no. 9, a work by artist Bernard Buffet is in the genre of bouquets, which represents a substantial part of Buffets oeuvre. Executed in 1976, it will be offered with an estimate of INR 94, 80,000 1,42, 20,000.
Lot no. 10, a beautiful still life work by Colombian artist Fernando Botero will be offered at an estimate of INR 1,10,60,000 1,89, 60,000. Featuring flowers, fruit, objects, musical instruments, and fantastic scenes of everyday moments, the still life works by Fernando Botero pay homage to the Dutch masters of the 16th and 17th centuries. A sculpture by the artist will also be offered at an estimate of INR 1,18, 50,000 1,58,00,000.
Lot no. 14, a work by Damien Hirst titled 'Beautiful Hours Spin Painting IX' was unveiled as the cover for the album See the Light by British rock band The Hours'. The impactful imagery rendered in a psychedelic colour composition with high-gloss paint embodies the central theme of life and death. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 2,37,00,000 3,95,00,000. Three other works by Hirst from his famous spin series will also be showcased.
Lot no. 30 is a rendition of famous Love Sculptures, by Robert Indiana. First executed as a painting in 1965 and being displayed at a solo exhibition at the Stable Gallery, it became a career-defining piece for the artist. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 3,16,00,000 4,74,00,000.
Lot no. 32 is a work by famous artist Yayoi Kusama. Titled Shellfish, the work featuring her recurring motifs of dots will be offered with an estimate of INR 63, 20,000 94, 80,000.
Lot no. 33 is a unique work by iconic artist Andy Warhol and marks a departure from his popular body of work focusing on the culture of consumerism. Sharing this Christmas merriment with a large legion of his friends during the early 1980s, Warhol executed over 20 paintings in different sizes featuring Poinsettia. The presented work was created in 1983 by Warhol and gifted to his friend Christopher Mako. It is offered with an estimate of INR 1,10,60,000 1,89, 60,000.