Another major highlight from this prestigious collection coming to auction is Franz Marc’s vibrant Das Lange Gelbe Pferd (The Long Yellow Horse) from 1913. The painting is a quintessential example of Marc’s signature subject, the horse, which was central to the Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) movement, which he co-founded with Wassily Kandinsky. Marc’s depiction of horses drew inspiration from Théodore Géricault, who often painted them alongside heroic cavalry officers as symbols of courage and nationalism. However, Marc’s approach diverges by emphasizing the spiritual essence and intrinsic energy of the animal, reflecting his belief in the superiority of animal purity over human nature. In line with Der Blaue Reiter’s spiritual philosophy, Marc sought to capture the inner spirit of the horse rather than its mere physicality. As he wrote in 1915, “People with their lack of piety, especially men, never touched my true feelings. But animals, with their virginal sense of life, awakened all that was good in me.” This work is expected to fetch between $8-12 million in November.
Sotheby’s will also offer a significant ceramic sculpture by Paul Gauguin titled La Femme Noire (1889), one of the most important surviving sculptures by the artist. With a high estimate of $1,000,000, the work exemplifies Gauguin’s stylistic evolution in Martinique and Brittany, freely blending Western and pre-colonial motifs. The piece, made of glazed stoneware, features a Martiniquais woman holding a male head in her lap—a symbolic fusion of references to Venus and biblical narratives such as the beheading of John the Baptist. This sculpture marks a notable departure from Gauguin’s earlier Judeo-Christian themes, showcasing his unique and increasingly personal symbolism.
Paul Gauguin, La Femme noire, 1889; Est. $700,000 – $1,000,000. Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Who was Harry Frank Guggenheim?
Known for his passionate engagement with philanthropic ventures, Harry F. Guggenheim was a complex figure and a true Renaissance man. As an avid collector, he played a key role in redefining the Guggenheim family as stewards of a global art institution. Serving as a trustee of the Guggenheim Foundation, Harry was deeply involved in shaping the museum’s direction. After the death of his uncle, Solomon R. Guggenheim, he took on a leadership role, becoming a crucial mediator between the formidable architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who was designing the museum, and the museum’s director, James Sweeney. Wright once remarked, “Harry doesn’t like controversy. Harry likes to win.”
Guggenheim’s contributions were both practical and strategic. He helped secure funding for the project and ensured that the building adhered to Wright’s now-iconic design. Leveraging his art knowledge and extensive network, he facilitated major acquisitions for the museum, collaborated with leadership to develop a programming strategy and conceived the Guggenheim International—a global award celebrating pioneering talent.
He was also a man of varied interests and pursuits. Raised across the U.S., Mexico, and England, he played tennis competitively, even competing at Wimbledon in 1913. He later turned to horse breeding and racing. Between 1933 and 1934, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Cuba and during both world wars, he flew as a Navy pilot, which sparked his lifelong passion for aviation. As president of the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation, he funded Dr. Robert H. Goddard’s groundbreaking research in modern rocket and jet propulsion, supported initiatives to advance commercial aviation and meteorology and established schools of aeronautical engineering across the United States.
“Harry Frank Guggenheim exhibited an extraordinary drive for innovation, with contributions that profoundly influenced the very fabric of American life,” Sotheby’s senior director and international specialist Fergus Duff said in a statement. “These works, coming to the market for the first time in nearly 70 years, serve as a testament to his bold vision, offering rare insight into the personal tastes of a man who was so critical in shaping modern art as we understand it today. They present a unique opportunity for collectors to continue in that esteemed legacy.”
Proceeds from the sale of the above works will go to the Harry F. Guggenheim Foundation, which was founded in 1929 and supports rigorous research into and scholarship on human violence, awarding competitive grants and fellowships, conducting and commissioning research, publishing reports and hosting conferences, research seminars and public conversations.
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Publish date : 2024-10-03 07:34:00
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