FALLS CHURCH, VA.- Modern and contemporary prints and posters enhance all sorts of spaces, from sophisticated Manhattan apartments to the geometric hillside homes of Los Angeles. On November 16,
Quinns Auction Galleries will present a outstanding selection of prints to suit todays interior décor, including such important highlights as Ed Ruschas iconic split-fountain screenprint Hollywood, an exceptionally fine Andy Warhol silkscreen of Grace Kelly, a pencil-signed first state of Henri Matisses Danseuse Debout from the Dix Danseuse suite, and Freidensreich Hundertwassers complete Midori No Namida portfolio.
Additionally, the auction shines a spotlight on works from local Washington Color School artists Gene Davis, Sam Gilliam, and Hilda Thorpe; the boldly distinctive lithographs by Alexander Calder, and more than 80 poster lots. The poster category features a broad variety of First and Second World War Allied propaganda posters, travel posters, and 1960s psychedelic examples created in San Francisco by masters of the genre, including Wes Wilson, Milton Glaser and Victor Moscoso.
The top-estimated lot is Ed Ruschas (American, b. 1937-) split-fountain panoramic screenprint titled Hollywood. Numbered 17/100, it is artist-signed E. Ruscha and dated 1968 in pencil. The quintessential depiction of the iconic Hollywood sign bathed in golden sunlight, the artwork has a framed size of 19 5/8 by 46½ inches and is estimated at $80,000-$100,000.
Also expected to attract strong bidder attention is a beautifully executed Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987) screenprint of Grace Kelly, which the artist created in 1984. This particular Grace Kelly print is so much better than others weve seen, said Quinns Executive Vice President Matthew C. Quinn. When compared to others in the same edition, its immediately obvious that this is a superior image with great colors. Even the squiggly lines, which became symbolic of cover images on Warhols Interview Magazine, are very colorful. This is a crisp, high-quality print in exceptional condition. Artist-signed in pencil and numbered 153/225, the Warhol comes to auction with a $60,000-$80,000 estimate.
Art collectors will have the rare opportunity to purchase a complete Friedensreich Hundertwasser (Austrian, 1928-2000) portfolio titled Midori No Namida, released in 1975. It contains five vibrant woodcuts in colors on Japan paper, together with a justification folder, booklet, and artist-designed furoshiki (cloth carrying-scarf), all presented in the ensembles original Japan cedar box. Each sheet measures 16¾ by 21¼ inches. The portfolio is estimated at $18,000-$22,000.
A 1927 first-state lithograph on chine volant by Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954) is titled Danseuse Debout [from Dix Danseuse]. Measuring 19 5/8 by 12¾ inches, it depicts in fine detail a pensive ballerina in a tutu and is editioned and signed in pencil. Its provenance includes the estate of American sculptor Bruce Moore. Estimate $4,000-$6,000
Containing three lithographs in colors on Arches paper, Salvador Dalis (Spanish-1904-1989) complete 1978 portfolio Les Amoureaux is edition 199 of 300 and retains its original decorative linen case. The lithographs include Anthony and Cleopatra, Lancelot and Guinevere, and The Garden of Eden. Each sheet is editioned and signed in pencil and measures approximately 29½ by 21¾ inches. The portfolio estimate is $1,200-$1,800.
Nine lots are devoted to the lively art of Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976), with three in colors on Arches paper depicting affinity groups of animals. From the 1976 Mourlot [Paris] portfolio Our Unfinished Revolution, their individual titles include: Elephants; Seals; and Animals. Each is number 128 of 175, is editioned and signed in pencil, and entered in the auction with a $1,000-$1,500 estimate.
In its past sales, Quinns has auctioned many prized works by Washington Color School artists. Among those featured in the November 16 auction is a 1953 Gene Davis (American, 1920-1985) signed lithograph in colors titled Equinox, edition 13 of 25 and estimated at $600-$800. A 1990 Sam Gilliam (American, b. 1933-) serigraph in colors on wove paper, titled (For Xavier), editioned 69/99 and dated, has a framed size of 41 by 49 inches. It could realize $2,000-$3,000 on auction day.
Within the 80-lot selection of posters are several late-1940s travel advertisements created for American Airlines by E. McKnight Kauffer (American, 1890-1954). The posters tout such holiday destinations as Paris, Holland, England, and Americas East Coast. A 40- by 30-inch Modernist poster depicting a globetrotting businessman with briefcase in hand is expected to land at $800-$1,200.
The November 16, 2019 auction will be held at Quinns gallery located at 360 South Washington Street in Falls Church, VA 22046, starting at 11 a.m. ET. All forms of remote bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.