Louise Bourgeois' Artist's Book Expected to Reach $250,000+ at Swann Galleries  

New York - Swann Auction Galleries’ Contemporary Art sale on Thursday, November 15 offers a myriad of important and museum-quality works from key artists in the contemporary market.

The sale is led by Louise Bourgeois' remarkable artist’s book, He Disappeared Into Complete Silence, 1947. Complete with text and nine engravings, the portfolio is an early set from the first edition and is one of only 19 known complete examples, more than half of which are in institutional collections. The work marks Bourgeois’ transition from life in Paris to New York and was used by the artist as an introduction to New York's art society. The publication is expected to bring $250,000 to $350,000.

Alfonso Ossorio makes an appearance with the 1962 mixed-media assemblage, Untitled (Sidrach, Misach and Abednego). The work exemplifies what Ossorio called his “congregations,” a style for which he is known ($50,000-80,000).

Latin American art is led by Fernando de Szyszlo’s 1992 acrylic on canvas work, Mar de Lurin, which is expected to bring $20,000 to $30,000. Sculptural works include a selection of five pieces by Jesus Rafael Soto, led by Stele Bleu et Verte, 1995, valued at $10,000 to $15,000.

Additional sculpture lots feature two works by Yves Klein in the artist’s iconic hue; La Terre Bleue, 1990 (Estimate: $30,000-50,000) and Petite Venus Bleue, 1956-57 ($10,000-15,000). Also by Klein is a set of three lithographs estimated at $1,500 to $2,500.

Postwar American artists include William Copley with Lolapulco, circa 1958, painted during his time in Acapulco, and demonstrates a selection of Copley’s signature iconography ($50,000-80,000). A 1968 color lithograph from Wayne Thiebaud, Sucker, State II, a red still life of the sweet confections for which the artist is best known ($8,000-12,000), and Night Rider, an oil on canvas from 1957, an early work that dates from shortly after the artist’s student years at Sacramento State College ($30,000-50,000). Alexander Calder is available with a circa 1966 gouache, which is expected to bring $70,000 to $100,000.  

Willem de Kooning’s 1969-70 preparatory drawing for his lithograph, Washington Monument, bears the artist’s signature with the title “The Reflecting Pool.” The original work carries an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000.

Minimalism includes Sol Lewitt’s 1977 Right Triangle for $70,000 to $100,000, and a group of four etchings from 1977-78 by Donald Judd poised to sell for $8,000 to $12,000.

A robust selection of Pop Art is distinguished by Andy Warhol’s color screen prints Mao, 1972, and Brooklyn Bridge, 1983 ($30,000-50,000 and $25,000-35,000, respectively). Roy Lichtenstein is available with As I Opened Fire Poster, Triptych, 1966, estimated at $8,000 to $12,000; and Jasper Johns appears in the sale with Flag (Moratorium), 1969, created to commemorate the anti-war Moratorium Marches that occurred in the fall of 1969 ($10,000-15,000).

The complete catalogue and bidding information is available at www.swanngalleries.com.

Additional highlights can be found here.

Image: Lot 134: Louise Bourgeois, He Disappeared Into Complete Silence, portfolio with complete text and 9 engravings, 1947. Estimate $250,000 to $350,000.