CY Twombly’s Untitled (Bacchus 1st Version II) takes centre stage as the highlight of Christie’s 21st Century Evening Sale, set to unfold on November 7, 2023.
This masterpiece, a late creation by the artist, promises to captivate art enthusiasts as it graces the storied Rockefeller Center saleroom in Manhattan. Part of the renowned Bacchus series, it shines as the crown jewel within the single-owner collection known as “The Elegant Eye: Works from An Exceptional International Collection.”
In this article, we delve into the rich history and significance of this extraordinary artwork, standing nine feet high and extending more than six feet long, with an estimated value ranging from $18 million to $25 million.
The Bacchus Series
A Testament to Twombly’s Brilliance The Bacchus series serves as a grand culmination of CY Twombly’s fifty-year journey in the world of artistry. This iconic looping theme has been an integral part of his oeuvre since the meandering scrawl of his 1960s Blackboard paintings first explored the motif’s unique ability to convey continuous fields of energy. The character of Bacchus, or Dionysus in Greek mythology, the god of revelry and wine, holds a notable presence throughout Twombly’s extensive career.
The character of Bacchus, also known as Dionysus in Greek mythology, has been a recurring theme in CY Twombly’s body of work. This character was first referenced in his 1975 collage titled Dionysus. Subsequently, in 1977, Twombly created a series focusing on the theme of Bacchanalia, and in 1981, he produced a triptych titled Bacchus. The continuous exploration of this character illustrates its enduring significance in Twombly’s artistic journey.
The 2003 – 2008 Bacchus series is divided into three distinct sets, each offering a unique insight into Twombly’s artistic evolution. Untitled (Bacchus 1st Version II) originates from the first set, comprising six portrait-format paintings that Twombly completed in 2004. Interestingly, these works were not exhibited until 2008 at the Red October Chocolate Factory in Moscow, adding an air of mystery to their history. Notably, four paintings from this set, including the one at hand, are inscribed with ‘Psilax,’ translating to “the Giver of Wings,” a surname associated with Dionysus.
The second set of the 2003 – 2008 Bacchus series includes eight landscape-format paintings, created in 2005 and exhibited together that year at the Gagosian Gallery in New York. Meanwhile, the third and final set comprises an additional six landscape-format paintings produced in response to Twombly’s retrospective exhibition at the Tate Modern in 2008. Remarkably, Twombly, upon seeing his Bacchus canvases hanging side by side, decided to create the final instalment. He generously donated the three largest works to the Tate while retaining the remaining three for his personal collection.
Conclusion
CY Twombly’s Untitled (Bacchus 1st Version II) stands as a testament to the artist’s profound creative prowess, merging classical mythology with contemporary abstraction. This masterpiece, part of the celebrated Bacchus series, carries an aura of artistic bravado and energy that has earned its place as the top lot in Christie’s 21st Century Evening Sale. As the auction date approaches, the anticipation for the sale of this iconic artwork continues to grow, promising an event that will be remembered in the annals of art history.
