LAKE WORTH BEACH, FLA..- The Warhol / Basquiat room to the left of the entryway at Palm Beach Modern Auctions boasts two of Andy Warhol’s hand-colored screenprints from the Flowers series, a unique impression of his Rats & Star screenprint, a Polaroid photo the artist took of fashion designer Halston in 1974, alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Odours of Punt screenprint. At 83” wide, the estate-printed composition will be sure to set the tone of an entire room for its buyer.

Those enticed by Alex Katz’s massive White Impatiens screenprint on entry will also enjoy the following room, where the north wall features Katz’s portraits Julia & Alexandra, White Shirt (Vincent 2), and a smiling Ada. Print collectors and theatergoers alike will enjoy Katz’s The Emperor Jones screenprint. The painting on which it was based was originally done for The Wooster Group's 2007 reimagining of Eugene O'Neill's 1920s play by the same name. The north wall also features two Julian Opie relief prints from his Standing Couples series. The subtle three- dimensionality of the cutouts invite closer inspection of Lydia & Garrett and their wall neighbors Carmen & Fabien.

The black walls of the Frank Stella room (which doubles as additional saleroom seating on auction day) provide contrast for the vibrant collection of editions and sculptures that highlight the complex layers and processes employed to achieve the artist’s desired outcome. In addition to the looping forms of a 46” wall sculpture, standout lots include relief-printed etching Bene Come Il Sale, hand-colored mixed media print with collage The Pacific and the whimsically titled Fattiburg and Fattipuff from Imaginary Places II.

“Talking about printmaking is important when I’m working with potential buyers,” says Rico Baca, auctioneer and co-owner of Palm Beach Modern Auctions. “Many collectors buy prints because they’re more accessible than a painting or other unique work. It could be budget, a certain look, or they like to rotate the art in their homes without a huge investment. Others appreciate the various techniques involved. Prints, multiples, editions, they are far beyond being simply copies of a painting. They are their own art form, and the artist is often integrally involved.”

Printmaking as a process has been part of Western culture since around 1400. Current-day processes have become increasingly complex since the earliest woodcuts, incorporating new pigments, collage, diamond dust and metallic elements. Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s Good Morning City screenprints, several of which will be offered in the March 1st sale, are excellent examples of the complex process, as is the uniquely hand-stitched Plain monotype by Sam Gilliam.

Baca continues, “Back to the ‘Stella Room’ as I’ve been calling it. One of the interesting things my catalog team brought to my attention is the timespan our current inventory covers. The black and white Quathlamba lithograph was done in 1968. Sinjerli Variations and the Eskimo Curlew sculpture are from 1977, The Waves is from 1989, Fattiburg and Fattipuff are from 1996. This is an almost 30-year survey of the work of an artist who passed less than a year ago. That’s exciting.”

All in all, there are over 120 prints and multiples offered in the March 1st sale across a range of genres. On-trend surrealism, pop and street art, plus abstracts and impressionism are all covered, with some of the names represented including Salvador Dali, Adolph Gottlieb, Keith Haring, KAWS, Roy Lichtenstein, Pablo Picasso, Ugo Rondinone, Robert Motherwell and Sam Francis.

Those with eyes and tastes elsewhere in the “modern and contemporary” vibe will not be disappointed. A group of Vladimir Kagan designs – many custom-made for the original owner who knew him – has sparked the interest of designers, as have pieces by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne and Paul Evans. Sculpture collectors will find delight in the Francois-Xavier Lalanne Oiseau Bleu bronze from the small and coveted edition of eight. Painting highlights include works by Roberto Fabelo, Walter Ropele and Robert Goodnough. Other niche finds include a Frank Miller & Klaus Jansen drawing for Batman: The Dark Knight #3, a very early Ken Price ceramic, and a Bui Huu Hung lacquer painting shimmering with gold leaf.

Modern + Contemporary Art & Design begins at 12:00 noon ET on March 1 at PBMA’s Lake Worth Beach location. Doors are open for preview Monday through Friday from 10:00 am-5:00 pm and at 9:00 am on auction day.

Bidders attending the auction in person are treated to complimentary refreshments and valet parking. Online, absentee and phone bids are also accepted via modernauctions.com. For those bidding remotely, high-resolution photos, video and Facetime preview appointments are available on request.

Palm Beach Modern Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in modern and contemporary art, pop culture, design, luxury, and decorative objects. The saleroom, exhibition space, and retail gallery are located at 1217 N. Dixie Hwy., Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460. For more information, visit www.modernauctions.com, email info@modernauctions.com, or call 561.586.5500.