NEW YORK, NY.- On March 11, Christie'swill hold its ninth First Open sale, which will include over 150 lots of Post-War & Contemporary Art, and is expected to realize $2.6-3.7 million. Highlights of the sale include an alluring range of paintings, sculpture, drawings and photographs from both well-known and emerging artists. With estimates ranging from $2,000 to $120,000, First Open is an exceptional opportunity to acquire works at a variety of price points, whether you are building an existing collection or starting anew.

This season contemporary artists Maurizio Cattelan, Vik Muniz, Elizabeth Peyton and Gregor Hildebrant will appear next to long established names such as Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois, Joseph Cornell, Alice Neel and Tom Wesselmann.

Among the highlights is a classic box by Joseph Cornell (1903-1972), Grand Hotel de L'univers (estimate: $80,000-120,000), a work evocative of bygone days and far-away destinations. The sale also includes a photograph by Maurizio Cattelan (B. 1960) Not Afraid of Love (estimate: $30,000-$50,000) which captures the artist’s celebrated sculpture that sold at Christie’s in 2004 of a baby elephant covered in a white sheet.

Additional highlights include Vik Muniz’s (B. 1961) After Van Gogh (estimate: $40,000-$60,000), from the artist’s well-known Pictures of Color series. In this work, Muniz examines the nature of the "truth" of photography by remaking iconic images from unusual material. Here he reinterprets Van Gogh Sunflowers by utilizing a handmade pixelization constructed from Pantone color chips. He then photographs the flat collage and then dismantles it leaving only the image.

Louise Bourgeois’ (B. 1911) Self Portrait (estimate: $15,000-20,000), is a superb demonstration of Bourgeois’ early work. Executed with minimalist lines, the artist demonstrates the rare ability to create an exceedingly unvarnished image of oneself. This work, while certainly containing a playful quality, also communicates the distinct psychological component that is clearly present in the early work of this celebrated artist.

The sale will also offer a Portrait of Meyer Schapiro by Alice Neel (estimate: $80,000-120,000) a Drawing for: 3D Drawing 1964, Coca Cola and Orange by Tom Wesselmann (estimate: $25,000-35,000), and five gouaches by Alexander Calder including, Les Yeux et l'Oreille, 1969 (pictured right) and Untitled, 1972 estimate: $30,000-40,000 each.