MUNICH.- They are simply breathtaking - and that is on two accounts - as the around 40 artworks by acclaimed artists such as Tony Cragg, Robert Rauschenberg and Victor Vasarely are striking for both their quality and their size. With dimensions of up to 3.5 by nearly 5 meters (137.7 x 195 inches), the colossal masterpieces will be called up at
Ketterer Kunst in Munich as part of the auction from 7-9 June with estimates ranging between 3,000 and 400,0000.
The array is led by Tony Craggs giant bronze Point of View with the most remarkable dimensions, making it the artists biggest sculpture ever offered at auction in the German language region. The massive sculpture from the artists late period of creation wavers between abstraction and biomorphism in unique manner. It explores the boundaries of abstraction and materiality, as well as the realms of free design and figurative associations. The spacious work with its stunning presence leads the sculpture section with an estimate of 300,000-400,000.
Robert Rauschenbergs County Sweep (Galvanic Suite) will enter the race with an estimate of 250,000-350,000. The mixed media work with dimensions of 123 x 305 cm (48.4 x 120 inches) is impressive, however, not only for its imposing length. It is a prime example of Rauschenbergs silkscreen paintings from the 1980s, which he transfers onto large mirroring metal surfaces. Conserving and transforming reality, this panorama work, which appeals to the observers socio-political conscience, is a fascinating document of how nothing in Rauschenbergs art is incidental, while everything is possible.
Next to Katharina Grosse, who is represented with two large-size works up to 280,5 cm (110.4 inches) wide and with estimates of up to 120,000), Victor Vasarely hypnotizes the observer with his Dauve from 1977. The 2 x 2 meter (78.7 x 78.7 inches) acrylic work with an intriguing dynamic spherical shape takes us to another dimension for an estimate price of 200,000-300,000.
Big Art Small Prices
The auction also offers large sizes at relatively small prices. Estimates for the largest works are in four- and five-digit realms: While Markus Oehlens Mala Fama with dimensions of 350 x 250 cm (137.7 x 98.4 inches) has been estimated at 12,000-15,000, Armin Boehms 210 x 300 cm (82.6 x 118.1 inches) big Birkenwald II can be obtained for 3,000-5,000.
Besides the 240 x 200 cm (94.4 x 78.7 inches) large teamwork Seiltänzer (Diptychon) from Salomé (that is Wolfgang Cihlarz) and Luciano Castelli (estimate: 15,000-20,000), two similarly big works from Rainer Fetting (estimates from 25,000) promise exciting bidding races.
Other striking works cone from artists such as Norbert Bisky, Martin Eder, Günther Fruhtrunk, A.R. Penck, Georg Karl Pfahler, Fred Thieler and Lambert Maria Wintersberger.
Further significant, however, less spacious works in the auction come from, among others, Ernst Barlach, Lovis Corinth, Otto Dix, Lyonel Feininger, Conrad Felixmüller, Günther Förg, Karl Hofer, Alexej von Jawlensky, Gustav Klimt, Max Liebermann, August Macke, Roberto Matta, Gabriele Münter, Ernst Wilhelm Nay, Emil Nolde, Hermann Max Pechstein, Pablo Picasso, Sigmar Polke, Egon Schiele, Fred Thieler, Alfons Walde and, of course, Andy Warhol