This season’s London auction sales promise to be an electrifying event, featuring a diverse array of masterpieces from renowned artists such as Egon Schiele, Francis Bacon, and Banksy.
What to Watch at the London Spring Sales: A Guide to the Top Lots
The London spring sales are set to take place amidst a strong pound and heightened investor confidence, making it an exciting time for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Masterpieces on the Block: Egon Schiele to Banksy
This season’s top lots range from a standout work by Egon Schiele to a seminal piece by Banksy. Among the highlights is Christie’s sale of ‘Knabe in Matrosenanzug (Boy in a Sailor Suit)’ (1914) by Egon Schiele, which comes to auction as part of a restitution agreement and features a remarkably vibrant use of color and expressive lines.
Egon Schiele was born on June 12, 1890, in Tulln an der Donau, Austria.
His early life was marked by the loss of his mother at a young age, which had a profound impact on his artwork.
Schiele's father remarried, but he struggled to connect with his stepmother and half-siblings.
This sense of isolation influenced his depiction of human emotions in his art.
He began drawing at a young age and was heavily influenced by the works of Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch.
Francis Bacon‘s Portrait of Man with Glasses III
One of the most closely watched lots will be ‘Portrait of Man with Glasses III’ (1963) by Francis Bacon, which is being sold fresh from its inclusion in the National Portrait Gallery’s major Bacon exhibition. This work has been extensively exhibited worldwide, including seventeen major international retrospectives, and served as the cover image for the catalog of ‘Francis Bacon/Henry Moore: Flesh and Bone’ at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford in 2013.
Francis Bacon was a British philosopher, statesman, and scientist.
Born in 1561, he studied law at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Bacon served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor under King James I.
He is widely recognized for his philosophical works, particularly 'The Advancement of Learning' and 'New Organon'.
His scientific theories on empiricism and induction laid the foundation for the Scientific Revolution.
Bacon's writings also explored the nature of reality, truth, and knowledge.
Banksy‘s Crude Oil (Vettriano)
Sotheby’s is auctioning a seminal Banksy work, ‘Crude Oil (Vettriano)’, which comes from the collection of blink-182 founding member Mark Hoppus. The painting originally debuted in Banksy‘s groundbreaking 2005 exhibition ‘Crude Oils: A Gallery of Remixed Masterpieces, Vandalism and Vermin’, where the artist took direct aim at British pop culture’s commercialization of art.
Banksy is a pseudonymous British street artist, activist, and filmmaker.
Born in the late 1970s, his real name remains unknown.
Banksy's artwork often incorporates stencils, satire, and social commentary on politics, war, and capitalism.
He has created numerous high-profile works worldwide, including 'Girl with Balloon' and 'Dismaland.'
Banksy's identity was partially revealed in 2016 when a former associate came forward, but the artist himself still remains anonymous.
Joan Mitchell‘s Canada II
A three-meter-long triptych by Joan Mitchell is set to lead Phillips‘s Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale with a high estimate of £5 million. Mitchell‘s expansive ‘Canada II’ (1975) features a muted, introspective palette dominated by brown and gray tones, evoking the vastness and serenity of the Canadian landscape.
Jean-Michel Basquiat‘s Pattya
One of the most anticipated highlights of Phillips’ evening sale is a rare meditative drawing by Jean-Michel Basquiat, ‘Pattya’ (1984), created during his meteoric rise. This work offers a rare window into a moment of tranquility, reflecting Basquiat‘s need to process the relentless pace of his new life.
Paul Delvaux‘s Surrealist Masterpieces
The market for Surrealist art has been on a steady rise over the past two to three years, bolstered by major museum exhibitions. Christie’s has dedicated an entire sale to the movement this season, featuring three major works by Belgian artist Paul Delvaux. The three paintings – ‘Les belles de Nuit’ (1936), ‘La Ville Endormie’ (1938), and ‘Nuit de Noël’ (1956) – are coming to auction for the first time after remaining in the same collection for 30 years.
The London spring sales promise to be an exciting and unpredictable event, with many top lots vying for attention. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, there’s something for everyone at this season’s auctions.
