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Cézanne and Modigliani to lead Sotheby’s auction, May 2013

Paul Cézanne - Les Pommes

Paul Cézanne
Les Pommes
Estimate $25/35 million

Cézanne and Modigliani to lead Sotheby’s auction Seminal paintings by Paul Cézanne and Amedeo Modigliani from the collection of Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt will lead Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale in New York on 7 May 2013.]]>

April 8, 2013, source: Sotheby’s

“Les Pommes”, painted by Paul Cézanne in 1889-90, reveals why his work in the still-life genre is considered among hisgreatest achievements (est. $25/35 million). These moving compositions, which explore the paradoxes of forms inspace, inspired the Cubism of Picasso and Braque and signal the very birth of modern art. “‘Les Pommes’ is oneof Cezanne’s most perfect still lifes” commented Charles Moffett, Vice Chairman of Sotheby’s Impressionist & Modern Artdepartment. “One could never imagine altering a single brushstroke or touch of color. The painting was a highlight of anyvisit to the Lewyts’ home, which was filled with works they dearly loved – from small pictures the size of playing cards toimportant drawings, watercolors and sculpture.

Amedeo Modigliani’s sensational “L’Amazone” is an earlymasterpiece by the artist and one of his most arresting images ofwomen (est. $20/30 million). Painted in 1909, itdepicts Baroness Marguerite de Hasse de Villers, a glamoroussocialite and lover of the younger brother of Modigliani’s patron,Paul Alexandre. Marguerite poses in her riding-habit, gloved-handon her hip and her arch gaze holding the viewer captivated.L’Amazone’s draughtsmanship and exquisite brushwork announcedthe arrival of a singular talent that Modigliani would explore duringthe following decade.

In addition, the evening sale will offer works from Impressionistssuch as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Camille Pissarro, to Post-Impressionists including Odilon Redon, Georges Seurat andÉdouard Vuillard, and Modernists like Pablo Picasso, GeorgesBraque and Marc Chagall.

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Cézanne and Modigliani to lead Sotheby's auction, May 2013