New York Live Auction to Present a Diverse Selection of Artists, From Salvador Dalí and Lynne Drexler to Tracey Emin and Issy Wood
Untitled, 1964
Estimate: $120,000 – 180,000
Phillips’ upcoming upcoming Modern & Contemporary Art auction, scheduled for 17 July at 10am EDT, features an impressive selection of over 140 lots that carry a combined estimate in excess of $3.3 million, marking a nearly 50% increase from last year’s inaugural July auction. A diverse selection of works by 20th and 21st century masters will be featured, including those by Salvador Dalí, Alexander Calder, Sam Gilliam, and Alex Katz. Fresh-to-market pieces by Lynne Drexler, Jane Piper, Elaine de Kooning, and Alice Baber will also be on offer. The sale will be on view to the public from 10 – 16 July at 432 Park Avenue.
Nina Piro, Specialist, Associate Vice President, said, “The July Modern & Contemporary Art Sale reflects the diverse and dynamic nature of Phillips, offering something truly special for collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Through the relationships and expertise of our team, we have assembled a high-quality sale that marks a 50% increase in value from last year. We look forward to sharing with our community of collectors this impressive range of examples by established artists alongside fresh-to-market works by women artists who are seeing well-deserved and long-overdue recognition.”
One of the standout pieces is Jules Olitski’s Untitled, 1964, an excellent example of his “staining” technique where acrylic paint soaks into raw canvas. The work features sweeping zones of deep rose and vivid orange, with thin bands of green at the edges. Created during his tenure at Bennington College, this piece showcases Olitski’s mastery of color and his ability to merge figure and ground. It also bridges his Stain and Spray paintings, hinting at the soft color interplay he later achieved with spray paint, which contributed to his acclaim in the Color Field movement and his selection for the 1966 Venice Biennale.
Saint Georges et le dragon, 1962
Estimate: $200,000 – 300,000
Leading the sale is Salvador Dali’s Saint Georges et le dragon, 1962, capturing the legendary tale with a vibrant, dynamic composition. The work showcases Saint George and his horse trampling the dragon, rendered with precise anatomy and powerful energy. Dali’s Surrealist touch adds depth and intrigue, incorporating fantastical elements and subtle details that reference his knowledge of Renaissance masters and the psychoanalytic roots of the Surrealist movement. The faceless princess and background details enhance the unsettling yet awe-inspiring atmosphere of this masterful piece.
You forgot to kiss my soul, 2007
Estimate: $100,000 – 150,000
Another highlight in the auction is Tracey Emin’s You Forgot to Kiss My Soul, 2007, which demonstrates her ability to blend text and images to convey intimate narratives. Using hand-blown neon tubing in her distinctive handwriting, this piece captures themes of love and heartbreak with raw, confessional emotion, framed within an organically outlined heart. Emin’s work, which spans painting, needlework, installation, and photography, consistently features autobiographical storytelling, as seen in this piece and her earlier acclaimed works.
