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Abstract Expressionist masterpieces from the Pincus Collection at Christie’s

Rothko - Orange, Red, Yellow

Mark Rothko (1903-1970)
Orange, Red, Yellow, 1961
Estimate: $35,000,000-45,000,000

Abstract Expressionism: Pincus Collection at Christie’s Christie’s will auction an outstanding private American collection of Post War and Contemporary Art: the Pincus Collection, which includes masterpieces by Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock.]]>

April 2, 2012, source: Christie’s

As philanthropists, humanitarians, and art patrons, David Pincus and his wife Geraldine (Gerry), enjoyed a collection of Post War and Contemporary art since the early 60s. The collection includes works by Willem de Kooning, Barnett Newman, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still and Arshile Gorky, among others. The combined value of the works offered for sale is estimated to exceed $100 million.

The centerpiece of this collection is Mark Rothko’s “Orange, Red, Yellow, 1961” (estimate: $35,000,000 – 45,000,000), the most important work by the artist on the market since “White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose)” sold for $72.8m in 2007. In this painting, Rothko has created a work that is the epitome of the sublime, and it is an experience that invokes the transcendental. Anyone who has visited Philadelphia would immediately know this painting, which has been on loan to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for many years along with Newman’s Onement V, and Pollock’s No. 28.

Another important work is Jackson Pollock’s “No. 28, 1951” (estimate: $20,000,00 0- 30,000,000). Measuring 38 x 54 inches, “No. 28” is distinguished by its black enamel and silver grey paint with pourings and drips of white, red and yellow. There has not been a Jackson Pollock of this quality or scale at auction since 1997.

The sale also includes Barnett Newman’s “Onement V, 1952” (estimate: $10,000,000 – 15,000,000) and two strong works by Willem de Kooning: “Untitled I, 1980” (estimate: $9,000,000 – 12,000,000), and “Untitled V, 1983” (estimate: $4,000,000 – 6,000,000).

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Abstract Expressionist masterpieces from the Pincus Collection at Christie's