61st Auction: 21 & 22 November 2006

Variety is the spice of life - contrasts make life richer.
Im Kinsky has based its second auction this autumn on this piece of wisdom. In temporal and scintillating contrast to antiques, old masters and paintings from the 19th century, we will be presenting avant-garde works of classic modernism and contemporary art.
The early Jugendstil (art nouveau) objects going under the hammer in this second auction offer an ideal compliment to the late Hoffmann works presented in the spring auction.

Classic Modernism, Tuesday, 21 November, 5 pm

With Ausfahrt mit dem Boot – Excursion with the boat - (€ 35,000 – 55,000) Edward Cucuel follows in the impressionist tracks of the fathers of Modernism. The charming plein air style of this German-American artist is exemplified in the dynamically canted boat, borrowing one of the subjects favoured by Renoir and Monet.

Carl Moll's work, among others, is represented by the Italian motif Rapallo at € 40,000 – 80,000. This monogrammed oil painting recalls the narrative landscapes of his teacher Emil Jakob Schindler, although Moll manages to draw the viewer closer into the action.

It will be exciting to find out how high the bids climb for Blumenstillleben by Anton Faistauer, valued at between € 50,000 and 100,000. The painting is dated 1918 and provides a contrast between its vague background and the rapid flow of colour of the bouquet in the vase, setting the scene for a subsequent series of powerful still life works.

The highlight of the first day of the auction will be Egon Schiele's Sitzende. With an estimated value of € 80,000 - 150,000 the expressionist virtuoso returns to cause a sensation once again.

Another work that stands out is a chalk sketch by Gustav Klimt. Brustbild eines lächelnden Mädchens – Head-and-shoulders portrait of a smiling girl - (€ 40,000 – 70,000) shows the girl's head in detail, while the roughly formulated background lends timelessness to this piece.
Presented for the first time in public, these works are joined by offerings from other artists, also taken from the Otto Brill collection. Luckily the artist managed to rescue part of his artwork by taking it to England in 1938. An export embargo was imposed on further items, enabling the Albertina Gallery to acquire them for their graphics collection. Restoration took place in 1999 and 2001.

Max Oppenheimer also had considerable success with various portrait commissions. The expressively psychological representation in Porträt Ernst Koessler (€ 80,000 – 150,000) fascinates with its play with light, radiating calm and sovereignty. It shows the artist at the pinnacle of his artistic ability. Almost 100 years after the bold Frühstück im Freien, Pablo Picasso drew a tribute to Edouard Manet. In Les déjeuners the Spanish artist reduced the original work to three precisely contoured figures with exquisite shading. Picasso's artistic tribute to the pioneer of the Modern is estimated at
€ 70,000 – 120,000.

In compact reality Rudolf Wacker picks out the real character of things. Stillleben mit Sprotten (€ 100,000 – 150,000) shifts everday life into the centre of focus with extraordinary clarity. "I want to be completely quite and just let things speak for themselves." (R. W.)

A group of Tyrolean painters await with idyllic themes. In addition to several offerings from Alfons Walde – a close-up entitled Bauernknecht (€ 25.000 – 50.000) among others – works by Albin Egger-Lienz, Artur Nikodem, Wilhelm Nicolaus Prachensky, Ernst Nepo and Herbert Gurschner are expected to go for reasonably affordable prices.

Then there are pictures from the artist colony in Zinkenbach by Josef Dobrowsky, Ernst Huber and Franz von Zülow to bid for, which are just as stimulating as a work by Alfred Kubin.

Contemporary Art, Tuesday, 21 November, 7 pm

The top lots in our contemporary art auction are without doubt Maria Lassnig's Uförmige Figuration (€ 80,000 – 150,000) and Max Weiler's Morgendliche Gegend (€ 100,000 – 200,000). While Lassnig's 1961 oil painting describes a positive bodily feeling in generous outlines, Weiler indulges in nature with lyrical gentleness.

Landscape, the human body and a temporal dimension are also united in Karl Prantl's stone sculptures, much in demand in the art world. It will be interesting to see how far Meditationsstein in amazonite (€ 70,000 – 100,000) exceeds the result achieved in the spring auction.

Hermann Nitsch's Schüttbilder dated 1983/84 are also much sought-after. The one offered here from 1983 is quoted at between € 25,000 and 40,000. Other small format works can be had for prices starting as low as € 4,000.

An especially spine-chilling story surrounds Alfred Hrdlicka's Haarmann (€ 70,000 – 140,000). The figuratively expressive bronze from the late 60's depicts a notorious murderer, who surprised and overpowered his male victims from behind. Representing all humanity's delinquents, this larger than life sculpture is difficult to put a price on.

The Neuen Wilden are well represented by Hubert Schmalix, Hubert Scheibl, A. R. Penck and Markus Lüpertz, who deals with the theatrical world in Othello mit Lampe (€ 22,000 – 35,000) and the figure of the same name, taking up the conflict in which it is intertwined.

Arik Brauer's Eva mit den Apfelpatzen (€ 30,000 – 40,000) serves as a counterpart to Adam im Feuerwind. The biblical Eva is transposed into a fantastic realism context, leading us into a naive fairytale world.

Ernst Fuchs’ Herbstlandschaft (€ 30,000 – 45,000) dated 1981 surprises with his first departure from physical representation. The eruptive flow depicts the inspiring environs of Reichenau.

On top of that works by Hans Staudacher, Willem de Kooning, Wolfgang Hollegha, Alfred Klinkan etc. are expected to attract a great deal of interest.

Jugendstil, Wednesday, 22 November, 5 pm

The auction is rounded off in style with a fine selection of Jugendstil objects. These include early works from the Wiener Werkstätte, Wiener Keramik and Werkstätten Hagenauer as well as exceptional vases made by Lötz.

An extraordinarily large Putto mit Blumen by Michael Powolny is on offer at € 29.000 – 45.000. Probably created as a model for the little Frühlingsputto, the extravagant style of this nude boy is unparalleled.

Josef Hoffmann also plays a major role in the autumn auction. His Körbchen mit Elfenbeinhenkel (€ 50,000 – 80,000) sculptured in 1905 reflects the main interests of the Wiener Werkstätte: an elegant close-knit between aesthetics and function.

Just a glimpse of the Jugendstil Goldanhänger mit Kette (€ 45,000 – 70,000) - in the possession of the Primavesi family until recently - will take your breath away. Josef Hoffmann clearly understood how to combine the talents of his fellow artists to best effect in composing this showpiece.

The seductive concept of wanting to raise every object to the status of a work of art corresponded with the Wiener Werkstätte exhibition "Der gedeckte Tisch" in October 1906. It was Josef Hoffmann who adorned the table with an extraordinary Blumenaufsatz. This masterpiece, formidable in both craftsmanship and artistically can be yours for € 80,000 – 140,000.

A sophisticatedly produced Konfektdose by Kolo Moser was originally intended as an Easter present. Set with semi-precious stones and a wave-shaped opening, this subtle silver egg (€ 40,000 – 70,000) serves almost as a counterpoint to Fabergé's amazing eggs.

One of the finest designs from the ornament master Dagobert Peche comes in the form of a splendidly carved Mirror (€ 45,000 – 75,000) with its original gold leaf finish. Furnished with the authentic Wiener Werkstätte label, this object provides a pleasing interplay between reflections of the Empire and Jugendstil elements. It dates back to the spring/summer of 1922.

From Lötz an exceptionally exquisite object is on offer: steeped in history, this vase (€ 20,000 – 35,000) was on display at the Paris World Exhibition in 1900! Franz Hofstätter's design draws us into a sundown scene, revelling in turn of the century atmosphere.

Naturally, alongside these absolute highlights there are also objects in a more subdued price class from the artists named above. Plus an impressive array of artistic works from Dagobert Peche, Emile Gallé, Otto Prutscher, Vally Wieselthier and many more.

Viewing for the 61st auction is from 14 November 2006 daily Mon – Fri, 10 am – 6 pm, Sat 10 am – 5 pm, Sun 12 noon – 5 pm at im Kinsky in Freyung, in the centre of Vienna.

Attractive catalogues will be published for the auction with detailed descriptions of each exhibit. These catalogues can also be viewed online at www.imkinsky.com.

For more information or to order press photos please contact Mag. Eva-Maria Manner (T 01 532 42 00-11, or email: manner@imkinsky.com)