ZURICH.- Important paintings by famous artists from international collections are among the highlights of the June auctions at Koller Zurich. The top lots are Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece „Pont de Clichy“ with an estimate of CHF 5 to 7 million and „Gym lesson in Ins“, one of the most important works by Albert Anker. The highlights will be presented at exhibitions in Geneva, London and Dusseldorf. The main exhibition is in Zurich, from 8 to 17 June, at once to ART BASEL (13 to 18 June).

Modern Art
Van Gogh’s painting “Pont de Clichy” represents a milestone in his career. The masterpiece was painted in Paris in 1887. At this point van Gogh had already spent three years in the French capital exploring Impressionism, influenced by his fellow artists Paul Signac, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and Paul Gaugin. In “Pont de Clichy” his former dark spectrum of colours suddenly turns into bright patterns. In this painting Van Gogh created a fabulous work of art, flooded with light and dominated by fugitive lines. Here one can see for the first time what will become van Gogh’s unique and unmistakable style. And Van Gogh himself chose it as the first of his French paintings for an exhibition in The Hague. The estimate for this magnificent, rare and very important work is CHF 5 to 7 million (lot 3222).

More highlights by Caillebotte, Sisley, Dufy, Picasso and Kandinsky
Being a passionate sailor, Gustave Caillebotte loved to paint rivers and lakes. With an exact knowledge for the right perspective and angle he also painted a branch of the river Seine. The magical water landscape “Petit bras de la Seine, effet d'automne” will be offered with an estimate of CHF 1.6 to 2.5 million (lot 3209). With a similar estimate of CHF 1.5 to 2 million the Swiss auction house Koller is also proud to offer Alfred Sisley’s painting “A la lisière de la forêt - Les Sablons”. In 1884/1885 Sisley, who was known to be shy by nature, created an extremely expressive work, showing one of his famous views of the southern French coast (lot 3213). Furthermore, this modern art auction will offer Raoul Dufy’s painting “La Grille” dated 1930. This masterpiece offers a view of a garden through a richly decorated blue iron gate. This large-scale painting impresses with its powerful colours and composition (lot 3217). It carries an estimate of CHF 600 000 to 800 000. Among the highlights are also Pablo Picasso’s painting “Verre et paquet de cigarettes” from 1922 with an estimate of CHF 700 000 to 900 000 (lot 3241) and a gouache by Wassily Kandinsky entitled “Two boats (Holland)” from 1904 with an estimate of CHF 350 000 to 450 000 (lot 3223).

Contemporary Art
In June Koller will present its Post War and Contemporary works in a separate catalogue with a new layout. Amongst the top lots at auction on 22 June with an estimate of CHF 120 000 to 180 000 is “Homage to the Square” by Josef Albers (lot 3428), and the sculpture “Whimblow” by John Chamberlain at CHF 220 000 to 260 000 (lot 3483). Likewise, the large format work “Zwei Klassen” from 1995 by Neo Rauch, offered at CHF 240 000 / 280 000, which has many hidden details in store for the observer (lot 3496).

The range of works is further enriched by the presence of modern and contemporary prints and drawings. Of especial note are two wood cuts by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, both from 1919: „Martin Monsch“ with an estimate of CHF 40 000 / 60 000 (Lot 3614) and „Zwei arbeitende Frauen auf dem Balkon“ at CHF 20 000 / 30 000 (Lot 3620). Also included amongst the highlights is a portfolio of 10 lithographs by Serge Poliakoff, which forcefully demonstrate the artist’s skill in the use of form and colour. These are to be offered with a estimate of CHF 60 000 / 80 000 (Lot 3702).

Swiss Art with Albert Anker’s Gymnastics Lesson
At the Swiss Art Auction on 21 June Koller Auctions will offer important works by Albert Anker, Ferdinand Hodler, Giovanni Giacometti and Cuno Amiet. The Swiss auction house is especially pleased to be able to offer “Die Turnstunde in Ins” one of the major works by the Swiss regional artist Albert Anker. This large format work had been in a private collection for some decades and will now be offered with an estimate of CHF 3.5 to 5 million. The work achieved fame thanks to the fact that it has featured in numerous Anker exhibitions, and not least as it was a popular subject for his prints. In this painting Albert Anker deals with the subject of a compulsory school gymnastics lesson for boys in Ins, such lessons have been introduced five years previously in the whole of Switzerland. In his article in the publication “Albert Anker, zwei Autoren über einen Maler” Hans A. Lüthy describes the work as “one of the most original of Anker’s paintings” (lot 3012).

Also presented at auction is the painting “Knabe mit Schiefertafel” from 1883, which shows Anker’s humanistic and liberal outlook, at a time when education for rural children was not taken for granted. The estimate is CHF 900 000 / 1.3 million (lot 3018).

In addition Ferdinand Hodler is represented with two landscapes. “Kastanienbäume” from 1889 will be offered with an estimate of CHF 350 000 to 450 000 (lot 3038). Produced in the same period, the work “Die Strasse von Evordes” is a further reworking of the famous painting which is in the collection of Oskar Reinhart in Winterthur (lot 3032).

Design
On 22 June, the Design auction, hitherto held in Geneva, will take place for the first time in Zurich. From now on it will have a permanent place in the modern art auction series in June and December. Since 2006 Koller has been the only auction house in Switzerland to offer a dedicated Design catalogue. Of the 100 lots offered at auction there are classic works by Eames, Van der Rohe and Le Corbusier as well as Design highlights of the 1970s and 80s by Arman, Max Ernst, Ron Arad and Werner Neumann. The item with the highest estimate is „Salon de Musique“ featuring a canapé and two chairs - an assemblage of cases and red velour cushions created by Arman in 1986, estimated at CHF 50 000 / 70 000 (lot 1261). From Max Ernst comes a signed and numbered bed in the form of a bird cage with a screen, estimated at CHF 40 000 / 50 000 (lot 1236). At a somewhat lower price of CHF 8 000 / 12 000 is the shaped steel chair „Well tempered“, made by Ron Arad in an edition of 50 in 1989 for Vitra design (lot 1266). Koller will also offer the „Organic Big Bull“ bookcase by Werner Neumann from 2011, estimated at CHF 10 000 / 15 000 (lot 1317). Italian design is represented with for example the work of Aldo Rossi. His tea and coffee service „Piazza“ comes to auction with an estimate of CHF 11 000 / 17 000 (lot 1302).

Art Nouveau & Art Deco
The Art Nouveau and Art Déco auctions have also been moved from Geneva to Zurich and will now take place there in June and December. Amongst the highlights in June are two table lamps, the „Nautilus“ from the Tiffany Studios New York with an estimate of CHF 20 000 / 30 000 (lot 1009) and a gilt bronze lamp by François Raoul Larche, which depicts the famous dancer of the veils Loïe Fuller and will be offered with an estimate of CHF 25 000 / 35 000 (lot 1107). There are also several high quality pieces by Emil Gallé, such as the „Vol d‘éphémères“ vase circa 1890 with blue inclusions and yellow mayflies, which comes with an estimate of CHF 20 000 / 30 000 (lot 1050). There is a classic signed Gallé table lamp in white glass with a violet foliate decoration estimated at CHF 15 000 / 20 000 (lot 1039). The top lot is a piece by Jean Dunan: a 1932 reliefdecorated lacquer panel with a depiction of two deer in a forest landscape (lot 1129). The piece measuring 100x130 cm was exhibited at the DeLorenzo Gallery in New York in 1985 and illustrated on page 26 of the exhibition catalogue.

Jewellery and Wristwatches
The Jewellery auction on 19 June has a large number of enticingly priced signed pieces, with classic diamond jewellery being amongst the top lots. This includes a diamond bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels, made in the 1960s with 385 brilliant-cut diamonds which is offered with an estimate of CHF 180 000 / 260 000 (lot 2074). At CHF 220 000 / 320 000 we have at auction a ring with an oval diamond (5.01 ct.) and two small diamond trapezoids (lot 2165). For lovers of antique jewellery there are a number of interesting pieces. These include a gold and carnelian pendant from the house of Castellani, made circa 1870, reminiscent of the jewellery discovered at archaeological digs, which will be offered with an estimate of CHF 15 000 / 20 000 (lot 2050), and an oriental style pair of earrings with turquoises from the 1830s, with an estimate of CHF 4 000 / 6 000 (lot 2123). From the 1920s comes a sapphire and diamond bracelet by Cartier with 8 sapphires at 6.4 ct., 104 brilliant-cut diamonds and 28 diamond baguettes at ca. 5.9 ct. with an estimate of CHF 50 000 / 80 000 (lot 2168). Amongst the wristwatches, it is the gentlemen’s wristwatches which predominate. A very rare Patek Philippe World Time from 1963 with gold case, silver dial and gold hands is the highlight of the sale. The watch with anchor escapement, breguet spiral and glucydur balance wheel is wound by hand. The piece impresses yet further with an external ring engraved with the names of 41 cities, a 24 hour ring with bi-coloured day/night indicator and a swan neck fine regulator. This watch will be offered at auction for CHF 600 000 / 800 000 (lot 2291). From IWC comes the model „Il Destriero Scafusia“ , grand complication with tourbillon at CHF 180 000 -280 000 (lot 2324). Also at auction is a Breguet platinum wristwatch with visible tourbillon. This piece is offered with an estimate of CHF 30 000 / 50 000 (lot 2318).