SAN FRANCISCO.- On May 3, 2011, Bonhams & Butterfields presents iconic Pop Art and abstract Expressionism highlights by famed artists Andy Warhol and Richard Diebenkorn during its Fine Prints auction in San Francisco. Simulcast to Los Angeles, the highly anticipated sale will also feature works by Sam Francis, David Hockney, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Rauschenberg, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Jean Tinguely, among others.

One highlight in the auction is British born artist David Hockney's Afternoon Swimming, 1979-1980, color lithograph, signed and dated '79' (est. $50,000-70,000); an iconic signed Marilyn screen print by Andy Warhol, circa 1967 (est. $40,000-60,000); an initialed Blue With Red, on Echizen Kozo Mashi paper by Richard Diebenkorn, circa 1987 (est. $20,000-30,000); an initialed Combination etching in spite-bite aquatint and aquatint in colors - also by Diebenkorn (est. $12,000-$18,000); and seven of the eight famed Eight by Eight to Celebrate the Temporary Contemporary series, created in 1983 for the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, by artists Richard Diebenkorn, Sam Francis, David Hockney, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Rauschenberg, Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, and Andy Warhol (est. $18,000-25,000).

Surrealism and French Impressionism are also highlighted within the May sale. Well-known artists Claude Monet and Salvador Dalí are featured, as well as works by Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall. On offer from Salvador Dalí is a selection of ten lithographs entitled Imagination and Objects of the Future, circa 1975 (est. $10,000-15,000), and from Claude Monet is the signed Figure en Plein Ai, color lithograph, circa 1908 (est. $8,000-12,000) and the signed Untitled (Lady at Easel) lithograph, circa 1908 (est. $8,000-12,000).

Esteemed works up for auction by Pablo Picasso include a signed Femme nue à la Jambe pliée etching on Montval laid paper and watermarked 'Picasso,' circa 1931 (est. $8,000-10,000); a framed Jacqueline, color lithograph in on black wove paper, circa 1958 (est. $6,000-8,000); and a signed Vieux Marin et jeune Prostituée méprisante etching, circa 1968 (est. $6,000-8,000).

The May sale will also feature pieces from Joan Miró, such as a signed Le Dandy Aquatint color etching, circa 1969 (est. $10,000-15,000); a framed, signed piece from collagist Romare Bearden entitled Street Musicians, color monotype on Arches paper, circa 1979 (est. $10,000-15,000); and 20th century painter Francis Bacon’s Study for a Portrait of John Edwards, color lithograph, circa 1987 (est. $7,000-10,000).

On offer from Marc Chagall is a broad selection of works from a series printed by Charles Sorlier in 1964, including a signed The Tribe of Ruben, from Twelve Maquettes of Stained Glass Windows for Jerusalem color lithograph on Arches paper (est. $6,000-8,000); The Tribe of Simeon, from Twelve Maquettes of Stained Glass Windows for Jerusalem (est. $6,000-8,000); and The Tribe of Levi, from Twelve Maquettes of Stained Glass Windows for Jerusalem (est. $6,000-8,000), to name a few.

Reflecting upon the May sale, Bonhams & Butterfields’ Fine Prints Director Judith Eurich said: “The auction features many exciting and unique pieces, and is expected to draw strong numbers both in the auction room and on the telephone.”

Additional prominent lots in the auction include pop art from Roy Lichtenstein, such as a signed Chem 1A screen print in black and yellow on Special Arjomari paper, circa 1970 (est. $4,000-6,000) and a signed Before the Mirror, from Mirrors of the Mind lithograph and screen print with embossing in colors on Rives BFK paper, circa 1975 (est. $7,000-10,000); as well as Andy Warhol’s Chicken ‘n Dumplings, circa 1969 (est. $8,000-10,000); American urban art from Keith Haring, such as his signed Pl. 5, from The Blueprint Drawings screen print, circa 1990 (est. $12,000-14,000); and Jim Dine’s Atheism, color lithograph, circa 1986 (est. $6,000-8,000).