Pablo Picasso
Nature morte aux tulipes
March 1932
Pre-sale estimate of $35/50 million
Picasso to lead Sotheby’s auction, November 2012 Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art sale on 5 November 2012 will include two great works by Pablo Picasso. ‘Nature morte aux tulipes’ (estimate of $35/50 million) and ‘Femme à la fenêtre (Marie-Thérèse)’ (estimate of $15/20 million).]]>
October 8 2012, source: Sotheby’s
Painted in March 1932, the year that is recognized as the pinnacle of Picasso’s near-century long production, “Nature morte auxtulipes” is one of the artist’s most powerful representations of his iconic muse Marie-Thérèse. The work is a synthesis of the two mainmedia – painting and sculpture – that Picasso utilized in depicting his young lover, in which he transforms her image intoa divine object of adoration.
The work carries a pre-sale estimate of $35/50 million. According to Sotheby’s, the painting comes to auction from an important private collection, and was last seen at auction in 2000 when it sold for $28.6 million.
“We are honored to be entrusted this stunning image of Marie-Thérèse, one of the legendary series of pictures thatmade Picasso the most famous artist in the world,” commented Simon Shaw, Head of Sotheby’s Impressionist &Modern Art department in New York.
“Femme à la fenêtre (Marie-Thérèse)” bears all the hallmarks of Picasso’s sumptuous depictions of the young woman, while its sharp color palette and boldness of form distinguish it within the famed series. This singular style may reflect what was an intense period in Picasso’s personal life: painted in the spring of 1936, the work followed the birth of his daughter Maya the previous fall with Marie-Thérèse, as well as his separation from his wife Olga and the beginnings of a passionate affair with another important muse, Dora Maar. The work carries a pre-sale estimate of $15/20 million.
Related content
Picasso’s ‘Nude, Green Leaves and Bust’ sold for $106.5 million (news, 2010)
Follow us on:
