Property from the Collection of Lars Ulrich Sale 1078, Lot 32 Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985) Paris Montparnasse, 1961 Oil on canvas Estimate: $2,500,000-3,500,000 Contact: Andrée Corroon 212.636.2680 Joel Gunderson Clare Roberts, London 44.207.389.2964 CHRISTIE'S TO OFFER IMPORTANT PAINTINGS FROM THE COLLECTION OF LARS ULRICH Post-War & Contemporary Art May 14, 2002 New York, NY - Christie's, the world's leading fine art auctioneers, is proud to offer works from the Collection of Lars Ulrich, founding member, songwriter and drummer for Metallica, the critically acclaimed band that Rolling Stone described as "widely considered to be the most popular and influential heavy metal band of the past two decades." Mr. Ulrich's deep passion and seriousness of spirit is reflected in his exceptional art collection. Accumulated over the last decade with intensive focus and intellect, Mr. Ulrich's collection includes many masterpieces from the late 20th century. Christie's will offer paintings from the Lars Ulrich Collection in the firm's sales of Post-War and Contemporary Art in New York, London and Amsterdam throughout 2002. The son of Danish tennis champion Torben Ulrich, who also was heavily involved in the thriving jazz scene in Copenhagen in the 1950s and 1960s, Mr. Ulrich grew up in a culturally rich household. His Danish roots led him first to the CoBrA artists such as Asger Jorn and Karel Appel, and his deep appreciation of the raw, high energy and deeply emotive nature of these artists works then led him to pursue works by Jean Dubuffet, Sam Francis and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Over a period of ten years, Mr. Ulrich has meticulously assembled a formidable collection through a series of passionate and bold acquisitions, often pursuing a single painting by his chosen artists for several years. Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York Five important works from the Lars Ulrich collection will be offered in Christie's evening sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art in New York on May 14. Profit I (estimate: $3,000,000-5,000,000), an epic canvas (86 ½ x 157 ½ in.) executed by Jean-Michel Basquiat in Italy in 1982, at the height of his creative development and fame, is widely considered to be the artist's greatest painting. It has been compared with Picasso's Guernica. This colossal painting, demonstrating Basquiat's signature mix of art historical precedent with the raw primitivism of urban graffiti, is an icon for Black America: his hero is both warrior and crucified victim. Another major highlight from the Lars Ulrich Collection is Jean Dubuffet's Paris Montparnasse, 1961 (estimate: $2,500,000-3,500,000), a painting that buzzes with the life and movement of the modern city. It is a seminal example of Dubuffet's Paris Circus paintings, the famous series of urban landscapes that the artist began after his return to the fast-moving French capital in the early sixties following a long stay in the countryside. Paris Montparnasse is one of the last truly monumental Paris Circus paintings to remain in private hands. This work was included in the recent Dubuffet retrospective at the Musée National d'Art Moderne, Centre George Pompidou in Paris. Karel Appel's Women, Children, Animals, 1951 (estimate: $600,000-800,000), is a seminal work by the artist that epitomizes the CoBrA aesthetic. Utilizing the bold color and free distortion found in children's drawings, Appel's rendition of an exotic paradise is a hopeful symbol for a new society following World War II. Asger Jorn's epic painting, In the Beginning Was the Image, 1965 (estimate: $900,000-1,200,000), lives up to its Biblically inspired title and presents a primordial cacophony of melting forms and rich colors. It is arguably the most important work by the artist ever to come to auction. The sale will also feature Sam Francis Untitled, 1989 (estimate: $300,000-400,000), a mesmerizing drip painting that explodes the energy of a Jackson Pollock. It was recently a highlight of the major Sam Francis retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Post-War and Contemporary Art, London The Post War and Contemporary Art evening sale in London on June 27 will offer seven works from the collection. The highlight of the sale is Untitled (Saint) by Jean-Michel Basquiat, dating from 1982 (estimate: £800,000-1,000,000), the most highly sought-after period in the artist's brief but prolific career. It is the most important Basquiat ever to be offered in London. The sale also features three oils on canvas by Karel Appel, Boy with Ball, 1952 (estimate: £55,000-75,000), Tete en fuite, 1961 (estimate: £50,000-70,000) and Little Yellow, of 1947 (estimate: £25,000-35,000). Three amazing works by Asger Jorn complete an exceptional CoBrA grouping: The Situation of a Central Figure, dating from 1966-68 (estimate: £170,000-200,000), Allegretto Furbo, 1964-70 (estimate: £150,000-200,000) and Le future qui passe (estimate: £80,000-120,000). The Post-War Art day sale on 28 June 2002 features a further seven lots from this collection, including works by Karel Appel and Jean Dubuffet. Auction: Post-War & Contemporary Art Evening Sale, NY - May 14 at 7 p.m. Post-War & Contemporary Art Day Sale, NY - May 15 at 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale, London - June 27 Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale, London - June 28 Viewing: Christie's Galleries, 20 Rockefeller Plaza - May 10-14 Back to top