NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s First Open Sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art in March will offer an exciting selection of approximately 300 works. The sale is the perfect opportunity for new and established collectors to discover emerging artists and explore lesser-known works by established artists. Highlights of the sale include two important works on paper by Gerhard Richter and Peter Doig—unseen on the market for almost 20 years. First Open will also present an important group of Abstract Expressionist works by Adolph Gottlieb, Richard Pousette-Dart, Leon Polk Smith, Helen Frankenthaler and Michael Goldberg, assembled over the years by a discerning private collector. All works will be exhibited before the auction at Christie’s Rockefeller Center Galleries from March 2-7 to coincide with the art fairs.

TWO MAJORS WORKS ON PAPER BY GERHARD RICHTER AND PETER DOIG IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS
Gerhard Richter’s Ohne Titel (9.4.86), 1986 is among the most ambitious works on paper in Richter’s oeuvre in terms of both scale and execution. It possesses the same intense energy generally reserved for the artist’s major canvases. Constantly shifting and changing before our eyes, Ohne Titel (9.4.86) demonstrates Gerhard Richter’s skill as a painter, and justifies his fame as one of the most famous living artists (estimate: $250,000-350,000). It is one of the largest works on paper to come to auction by the artist.

Peter Doig’s Cobourg 3+1 more (1995) is related to the artist’s famous painting of the same name, now in the collection of Provinzial Rheinland Versicherung, Düsseldorf. Executed a year after its first rendering, this master work borrows from the left side of Doig’s previous composition, adapting the oil paint medium to paper instead of canvas to achieve a unique aesthetic. Cobourg 3+1 more (1995) captures in all its textural wonderment an absorbing winter scene from Peter Doig’s memories of Canada. This work was gifted to the current owner by the artist in 1995, the year it was painted (estimate: $200,000-300,000).

Major works by primary market rising stars Oscar Tuazon and Keltie Ferris will be presented for the first time at auction. The sale will also offer small-scale and early works by Jack Goldstein, El Anatsui, Lee Ufan and Thomas Houseago. All four artists enjoyed recent success at auction—art by Goldstein and Anatsui sold for record-high prices last season, while Lee Ufan’s work was sold for over a million in November. Also included is Anatsui’s Grandma’s Cloth Series (estimate: $30,000-40,000), First Open will coincide with the artist’s solo show “Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui,” at the Brooklyn Museum. First Open will also offer classic works by celebrated contemporary artists like Marc Quinn, Anselm Kiefer, Elizabeth Peyton and Andreas Gursky. Gursky’s Atlanta is a characteristic photograph, with large format architecture in saturated color (estimate: $250,000-350,000).

MASTERS OF ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
Highlights of the First Open Sale include a selection of Abstract Expressionist painting and sculpture from a private collection, with works by Adolph Gottlieb, Richard Pousette-Dart, Leon Polk Smith, Theodoros Stamos, Mark Tobey, Helen Frankenthaler and Michael Goldberg.

Assembled with a discerning eye and intimate knowledge of one of the most important schools of the 20th century, this collection of intimately-scaled works pays homage to the group of artists known as “The Irascibles” from the iconic photograph taken in 1950.

Property of a Private Collection captures the zeitgeist of American Modernism, when artists united to change the course of American art history. Centered around a stunning, gem-like Gottlieb (estimate: $80,000-120,000), this thoughtful collection also features works by important members of the New York School and Color Field movement.

CHRISTIE’S AND INTERVIEW MAGAZINE PARTY, FEATURING A SILENT AUCTION OF WORKS FROM Y&S ARTISTS
Y&S is dedicated to the support of emerging and unrepresented artists. Founded and driven by a group of art enthusiasts, Y&S strives to give young artists a platform on which an ever-broadening audience can celebrate the works of their own generation. Y&S creates a bridge between young artists and a young audience through group shows, lectures, studio visits and publications. Saara Pritchard, head of First Open, has proposed an exceptional partnership with Y&S. Christie’s is holding a special silent-auction at the First Open preview selling twenty works by artists, all under 35 years old and unrepresented, chosen by of Y&S’s founders: Dylan Brant, Vivian Brodie, Tom Lee, Emilia Rinaldini and Max Teicher. Some of these artists include Jack Greer, Mat Larkin, Dylan Lynch, Adam Payne, Samuel Stabler, Daniel Horowitz and Julian Wellisz. The proceeds will go directly back to the artists and neither Christie’s nor Y&S will benefit from the sales of these works.