Modern and Contemporary Art 2024: Masterpieces by great artists await you at the Artcurial auction

On June 19, Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer in Basel will hold its annual auction of modern and contemporary art. This auction runs concurrently with the renowned international art fair Art Basel and will feature the most important artists in these styles, including two surrealist masterpieces by René Magritte and Salvador Dalíwill take place Twenty One Contemporary auctions on June 4, 5, and 6 in Paris.

Prior to the aforementioned date, Artcurial will hold its major auctions of modern and contemporary art, as well as Twenty One Contemporary, in Paris on June 4th, 5th, and 6th. The modern art auction will include works by renowned artists such as Berthe Morisot, Auguste Renoir, Kees Van Dongen, Bernard Buffet, and Pablo Picasso, as well as Vietnamese painters like Le Pho and Mai Thu.

The auction for contemporary art will focus on important post-war artists such as Pierre Alechinsky, Karel Appel, Alexander Calder, Chu Teh-Chun, Jean Dubuffet, Roberto Matta, Richard Serra, Niele Toroni, and Victor Vasarely. On June 6, the Twenty One Contemporary auction will present significant works from the current contemporary art scene by artists such as Xavier Veilhan, Tadashi Kawamata, Claire Tabouret, Lee Bae, Julien Creuzet, and Ibrahim Mahama.

Part of the auction is also dedicated to the carefully curated Africa First , featuring works of contemporary African art.

Paranoid-critical solitude – Surrealist masterpieces by Dalí and Magritte

As part of the annual auction of modern and contemporary art, over 200 lots will be auctioned, including two surrealist masterpieces by René Magritte and Salvador Dalí.

The preview begins on June 11, coinciding with Art Basel. "Les cicatrices de la mémoire" is estimated to be worth between CHF 1,500,000 and 2,000,000. This painting showcases the artist's intense creative energy in the 1920s. A half-open door, a recurring element in Magritte's art, symbolizes the transition from inside to outside, which can also be metaphorically extended to other levels, such as the transition from life to death or from earth to heaven.

The hand depicted in the foreground, which appears to be holding the head of an amphibian, is particularly striking. Hand and head are painted in the same color and texture, causing them to merge seamlessly. This metamorphosis, in which different objects merge, is typical of Magritte.

It is a fascinating work that allows for diverse interpretations while simultaneously uniting the various aspects of Magritte's painting.

“Solitude paranoïaque-critique (Paranoid-Critical Solitude)” by Salvador Dalí, estimated at CHF 1,500,000 to 2,000,000, comes from the collection of Edward James, a major supporter of Surrealism. In this painting, Dalí employs the concept of double images: the car becomes part of the rock and vice versa. Solitude paranoïaque-critique embodies the central elements of Dalí's art.

With his extremely precise execution, Dalí succeeded in creating a hyperrealistic and simultaneously surreal work. This small-format, high-quality, and well-preserved painting is considered one of the artist's masterpieces.

Belgian artists are well represented in this auction. Alongside Magritte, La petite fille (estimate: CHF 120,000 – 160,000), a typical work by Paul Delvaux, an important figure in 20th-century Belgian painting, will be presented. Also included are two works by Jef Verheyen, whose name is synonymous with Belgian and international abstract art, as well as a sculpture (estimate: CHF 40,000 – 60,000) by Jean-Michel Folon.

Furthermore, four works by Alberto Magnelli are being offered, including La lampe et le pichet from 1913 (estimated price: CHF 80,000–120,000), which was created during an extremely productive and crucial period in the artist's career. Also noteworthy are important works by Giuseppe Capogrossi, Günther Uecker, Lucio Fontana, James Lee Byars, Sol LeWitt , and Magdalena Abakanowicz.

In addition, works from a private collection in eastern Switzerland will be presented, including objects by Max Bill, Hans Arp, Serge Poliakoff, Günther Uecker and Wifredo Lam.

Impressionism & Modern Art (Evening & Day Sales)

On June 4th and 5th, the major auctions for Impressionist and Modern Art will be held in Paris. Nearly 250 works will be presented, divided into an evening and a daytime sale. The selection includes paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by emblematic 20th-century artists such as Auguste Renoir, Berthe Morisot, Maurice Denis, Paul Sérusier, Bernard Buffet, Man Ray, Pablo Picasso, André Masson, and Fernand Léger, as well as a rare painting by the naive artist Séraphine and Vietnamese painters like Le Pho and Mai Thu.

This selection is complemented by the second part of the Jean-Louis Roque Collection, comprising approximately 50 works. A remarkable watercolor by Kees Van Dongen, Josephine Baker and recently exhibited at the Musée du Petit Palais in Paris, will be presented. Estimated at €250,000 to €350,000, this 1925 portrait is a tribute to the young dancer, an unforgettable figure in Parisian life of the 1920s.

In 1925, Josephine Baker performed in the Revue Nègre at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées. It was around this time that Kees van Dongen sketched the head of the woman who would become known as the Black Venus. With her short haircut, striking lock of hair, and crimson lips, she was portrayed as a garçonne – a new aesthetic canon of the Roaring Twenties.

The artist's swift brushstrokes create a radiant image of Josephine Baker. The artist's intense and contrasting colors perfectly capture her sense of burlesque and her captivating movements.

Post-War & Contemporary Art (Evening & Day Sales)

The contemporary art section features several important artists from the post-war period to the present day , including Pierre Alechinsky, Karel Appel, Alexander Calder, Chu Teh-Chun, Jean Dubuffet, Roberto Matta, Richard Serra, Niele Toroni, and Victor Vasarely. Various abstract artworks will be offered for auction, including two important paintings by Hans Hartung (estimated prices: €250,000–350,000 and €180,000–250,000) and an exceptionally large painting by Olivier Debré (estimated price: €100,000–150,000).

also Abstract art be present, represented by the work “Composition n°136” by Chu Teh Chun from 1962 (estimated price: €350,000 – €550,000), a huge polyptych by Fabienne Verdier and a fine collection of works by Tang Haywen.

Optical art is represented by a rare work by Jesus Raphael Soto from 1962, as well as a large painting by Victor Vasarely. Two exceptional sheet metal works by Raymond Hains from 1959, each measuring 200 x 100 cm, are also on display among the New Realists.

Twenty One Contemporary

Finally, on June 6th at 6 pm, the Paris auction Twenty One Contemporary take place, concluding the 20th and 21st weeks. Contemporary works will be presented, including pieces by artists such as Lee Bae, Claire Tabouret, Tadashi Kawamata, and Xavier Veilhan.

Of particular note is the rare unmasked version of the famous duo Daft Punk, created by Xavier Veilhan. Emerging artists such as Anastasia Bay, Guillaume Bresson, and Jean-Marie Appriou will also be represented. Furthermore, the auction reflects the artistic landscape of the Venice Biennale by highlighting artists like Alioune Diagne and Julien Creuzet.

The auction concludes with a collection of approximately 15 works from the Africa First collection, showcasing the vitality and diversity of contemporary African art . These include works by Aimé Mpane, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Sadikou Oukpedjo, and Athi-Patra Ruga. Also up for auction are a wall installation by Ibrahim Mahama and a sculpture by Tschabalala Self, known for her depictions of Black women.

Practical information on auctions, previews and contact points

Previews in Paris:
May 31 to June 4, 2024

Auctions in Paris:
June 4th at 7 pm & June 5th at 2 pm

Impressionist & Modern Art
Evening & Day Sales
June 4th at 8 pm & June 5th at 4 pm

Post-War & Contemporary Art
Evening & Day Sales
, June 6th at 6 PM

Twenty One Contemporary
Artcurial
7 Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées
75008 Paris

Previews in Switzerland:
Selected works,
June 7 – 3–7 pm
, June 8 – 11 am–4 pm,
Kirchgasse 33,
8001 Zurich

All works on display
from June 11th to 16th, 10 am to 5 pm,
Schwarzwaldallee 171,
4058 Basel

Auction in Basel:
June 19th at 1 p.m.
Artcurial Beurret Baily Widmer
Schwarzwaldallee 171
4058 Basel

About Artcurial

Artcurial, the renowned auction house with French roots, was founded in Paris in 2002 and has since become a leading player in the international art market. In 2022, the company, operating three auction venues in Paris, Monaco, and Marrakech, achieved an impressive total turnover of €216.5 million.

The auction house is a multidisciplinary company covering all major areas of expertise, including fine art, decorative arts, collectible vehicles, jewelry, Watches , and wines and spirits. With a clear international focus, Artcurial continuously expands its global network.

The company has offices in Brussels, Milan, Monte Carlo, Munich and Marrakesh, as well as representative offices in Austria and Spain.

In April 2023, Artcurial further strengthened its commitment by Beurret Bailly Widmer Auctions acquiring the renowned Swiss

Further information can be found at artcurial.com