Mexican Modernist Masterworks by Leonora Carrington, Rufino Tamayo and Diego Rivera Lead Christie’s Latin American Art Sale
DIEGO RIVERA (1886-1957)
Tehuanas cargando una canasta (Tehuanas carrying a basket)
signed and dated 'Diego Rivera 1934' (lower left)
tempera on gessoed linen
31½ x 23¼ in. (80 x 59 cm.)
Painted in 1934.
Estimate: $600,000-800,000
New York – Christie’s is pleased to present the live sale of Latin American Art at Rockefeller Plaza on 30 September 2022, an exceptional group of paintings, sculptures and drawings from leading Latin American artists from the 19th Century to the present day. With masterworks by Leonora Carrington, Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Wifredo Lam, Matta, Jorge de la Vega, Roberto Fabelo and many more, the sale offers both emerging and seasoned collectors something for every taste. The sale features Outside Cuba Inside: Property from The Farber Collection of Contemporary Cuban Art. Recognized globally as one of the most important collections of its kind, the Farber Collection includes outstanding works by Tomás Sánchez, Belkis Ayón, Los Carpinteros and Tania Bruguera among others. With over 70 lots in total, the sale carries a low estimate in excess of $15,000,000.
The sale is led by a stellar group of Mexican modernist paintings, including a 1960 canvas by the sought after Surrealist Leonora Carrington entitled Pig-rush (Nacimiento de cerdos) (estimate $1,000,000-$1,500,000). With its exuberant depiction of swirling swine, the painting captures the artist’s enigmatic, metaphoric and witty approach to rendering mysterious worlds where humans comingle with unlikely animals. Rufino Tamayo is well represented in the sale with six paintings and one sculpture, including the dazzling Hombre contra el muro (also known as Personaje) (estimate: $1,500,000-$2,000,000). Tamayo’s unparalleled reputation as a consummate colorist is on full view in the large scale canvas that eloquently synthesizes a symphony of pastel hues. With its rich textural surface, the work fully exploits the artist’s signature style of incorporating sand into his paintings. Additional Tamayo highlights include Cinco rebanadas de sandía, a bold graphic rendering of abstracted watermelon slices—one of the artists most iconic subjects (estimate: $600,000-800,000). Christie’s is honored to present works from the Property of Dr. Samuel and Mrs. Beatriz Pilnik, including Diego Rivera’s classic, Tehuanas cargando una canasta (Tehuanas carrying a basket) (estimate: $600,000-800,000), elegantly depicting two Oaxacan women in traditional dress, carrying a basket of flowers set against a lush floral background.
Of all the outstanding works in the sale, the greatest revelation for collectors might be Haitian artist Hector Hyppolite’s Damballah La Flambeau (estimate $150,000 - $200,000). Rarely seen at auction, Hyppolite’s work is known for its vibrant, evocative imagery that draws upon the rich history of Haitian Vodou. With its impeccable provenance and striking depiction of one of the most important Vodou spirits, Damballah La Flambeau is poised to set the record for both a work by Hyppolite and any Haitian work of art at auction. Fresh to the market sculptures, paintings and drawings at every price point by Fernando Botero round out the sale.
A selection of highlights from the sale, including works from the Farber Collection, will be on tour in Miami from September 10th – 15th.
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