SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- The Andy Warhol lithograph, "Shoe and Leg," 1955, that Warhol gifted to film star Tony Curtis (with the inscription "To Tony Curtis" and "The Some Like It Hot Shoe") is headed to the auction block in
Bonhams' Prints and Multiples sale on April 21 in San Francisco. The work, estimated at $60,000-70,000, is one of many noteworthy highlights in the 250-plus lot sale that will be simulcast in Los Angeles.
There will be many Warhol works in the sale, including such screenprints as the rarely up for auction "Mao," 1972, estimated at $20,000-30,000; three examples of "Flowers," 1970, each offered at estimates of $25,000-35,000; and Jacqueline Kennedy I (Jackie I)," from "11 Pop Artists," 1966, estimated at $11,000-18,000.
Also standing out will be a set of six Roy Lichtenstein prints in the "Bull Profile Series," 1973, estimated at $80,000-120,000. Interestingly, Lichtenstein's bull works are said to have been inspired by Pablo Picasso's depictions of bulls, and this auction will feature Picasso bulls, such as a red earthenware round plate that is painted in black, of "Tauromachy Scene," 1957. Additional Picasso highlights will include "Femme au Chapeau," 1962, a colored linocut, estimated at $60,000-80,000.
The cover of the sale's catalog will feature a highlight from one of two Keith Haring sets available in the auction: the "Growing Series," 1988, comprising five colored screenprints, estimated at $50,000-70,000, and an untitled series from 1987 that includes four colored lithographs, estimated at $18,000-25,000.
Also on offer in the auction will be an Edward Ruscha screenprint of "Hollywood," 1969, estimated at $70,000-90,000 and Wayne Thiebaud woodcuts of "Candy Apples," 1987, estimated at $30,000-40,000, and "Dark Cake," 1983, estimated at $20,000-30,000.
A unique addition to the sale is one of Man Ray's most widely-recognized works that is rarely up for auction, a lithograph of "A l'Heure de l'Observatoire - Les Amoureaux," 1970, estimated at $20,000-30,000.
Additionally of note, there will be a portfolio of "Artists for Obama," 2008, estimated at $15,000-20,000. It comprises 13 screenprints, lithographs, etchings and drypoints by artists John Baldessari, Jonathan Borofsky, Frank Gehry, Ann Hamilton, Jasper Johns, Ellsworth Kelly, Brice Marden, Julie Mehretu, Ken Price, Susan Rothenberg, Ed Ruscha, Richard Serra, and Richard Tuttle.
Bonhams' Director of Prints and Multiples, Judith Eurich, commented of the sale, Bonhams is pleased to offer many icon images in this auction by some of the most important artists of the 20th century.