translated by Giorgina Arcuri

On 25th June, Sotheby’s London auction house will open the “Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale”, an extraordinary event for collectors of masterpieces by the most famous names of the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The success of this auction seems to be anticipated by the artistic figures that will be presented. In a period when we keep on waiting for the signs of the art market crisis to surface, Sotheby’s makes the right choice, that is to auction 56 pieces of undoubted quality executed by the greatest names of the history of art. A very wise strategy that even collectors should pursue, as important works are not affected by devaluations and even if the market may slow down due to the latter, it will certainly never fail.
One of the most outstanding works of the 56 lots that will be presented in the New Bond Street venue is a beautiful painting by Gino Severini entitled “Danseuse”, which will start from an initial estimate included between 7 and 10 million pounds. An extraordinary oil on canvas executed in 1915, in which the Italian artist represents his poetics to his best. Indeed, in this masterpiece it is evident how Severini was able to combine science and art, constructive rigour and inventive fantasy, reaching his most complete expressivity between 1910 and 1915, when he added the dynamic values of futurism to the constructive principles of cubism. During the auction particular attention should also be directed at “La Plage à Trouville”, a typical impressionist oil on canvas by Claude Monet, presented by Sotheby’s with an estimate of 7-10 million pounds.
Besides the two works mentioned above, the sale catalogue shows stunning works by artists who contributed to the rise of modern art. Indeed, there will be outstanding figures such as Paul Cèzanne, who opposed himself to the distracted eyes of the impressionists, and will be presented to the saleroom public with the work “Verre et Poires” from 1879-1880 (estimate 2.5 – 3.5 million pounds. However, among the great celebrities, Paul Gauguin definitely stands out with his “Tete de Tahitienne or la Fleur qui è Coute” (estimate 1 – 1.5 million pounds) and “Deux Vases de Fleurs er èventail” (estimate 1.5 - 2 million pounds).
Furthermore, the London auction has selected other works that are very interesting for their aesthetic but mainly economic quality. For instance, two marvelous canvases by Maurice de Vlaminck, French painter who in the first years of the twentieth century approached the Fauves movement to then become closer to the trend of expressionism: “Le Pont de Poissy” from 1905 (estimate 2-3 million pounds) and “Chatou, le Pont” (estimate 1.2 – 1.8 million pounds).
Another work of Fauves derivation is Henri Matisse’s “Peches” executed in 1920, an oil on canvas that will start from a valuation included between 1.8 and 2.5 million pounds.
If what you are looking for is a beautiful work of expressionist matrix, then you cannot miss out on “From Asgardstrand” by Edvard Munch, estimated at 2-3 million pounds, while if you are more interested in surrealism then you should direct your attention at “Soirée Snob Chez la Princesse” by Joan Mirò, which will be presented with a valuation of 3-4 million pounds.
Other interesting works are “Pierrot”, a drawing by Egon Schiele (estimate 1.8 – 2.5 million) and two works by Alberto Giacometti: the bronze sculpture “Trois Hommes qui Marchent I” (estimate 4 - 6 million pounds) and the oil on canvas “Tete Noir (Diego)” estimated at 4-6 million pounds.
And obviously Picasso will be presented at auction. Indeed, some canvases from the Haaken A. Christensen collection will  be auctioned on 25th June at the “Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale”. In this exceptional sale, Sotheby’s will present four canvases by Pablo Picasso. The first work is a beautiful painting portraying the surrealist photographer Dora Maar that will be presented with an estimate included between 3 and 5 million pounds. To follow “Homme au maillot rayè”, a self-portrait of the Spanish artist executed in 1955 (estimate 900 thousand – 1.2 million pounds), “Femme au chapeau assise” (estimate 700 - 900 thousand pounds), “Nature morte au poron” (estimate 600 – 800 thousand pounds). Next to Picasso’s four works there will be “L’araignèe verte” (another work from the same collection of art gallery owner Christensen), an abstract painting by Lèger that will start from a valuation of 400-600 thousand pounds.