From New York to London to Stockholm, a wide range of work by artists including Henri Cartier-Bresson, William Kentridge, and Jeff Koons is hitting the auction block this month.
In anticipation of these May sales, with the help of the artnet Price Database, artnet News has compiled a list of five of the most interesting events taking place around the globe this month.
May 8
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Fire Breather in Paris (1953). Courtesy of Bukowskis, Stockholm.
Henri Cartier-Bresson: E171 at Bukowskis Stockholm
Bukowskis presents select works by Cartier-Bresson, taken during his time working at Magnum, a cooperative photo agency that the famed French photographer started with Robert Capa and others. The agency, which turns 70 this year, aimed to use photography in the service of humanity—an initiative that is clearly visible in the small collection of works up for auction.
May 11
Roy Lichtenstein, Composition (Picture without a Frame) (1955). Courtesy of Swann Galleries.
Contemporary Art at Swann Galleries
Some of the biggest names in contemporary art are on the block, including Alexander Calder, Roy Lichtenstein and Jeff Koons. This auction covers every major artistic movement from the last 75 years. David Hockney’s etching The Artist and Model and a unique mixed-media with color monotype by Robert Motherwell are highlights of the sale.
May 15
Constantin Brancusi, La muse endormie (1913). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd.
Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale at Christie’s New York
This sale will kick off 20th Century Week at Christie’s New York with 56 works. A standout is Picasso’s Femme assise, robe bleue, which has an estimate of $35 million to $50 million, making it the highest-valued lot for the month of May to date. Sotheby’s New York will have its major Impressionist and Modern Art sale the following evening, on May 16.
May 16
Irma Stern, Still Life with Flowers (1942). Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Modern and Contemporary African Art at Sotheby’s London
This is Sotheby’s inaugural auction of modern and contemporary African art. Artists from across the continent are represented, including Irma Stern, Yinka Shonibare, and William Kentridge. One of the highlights of the sale is Earth Developing More Roots by El Anatsui, a wall sculpture made from aluminum bottle caps and copper wire.
May 16
Helen Frankenthaler, Summer Angel (1984). Courtesy of Bonhams
Post-War & Contemporary Art at Bonhams New York
In another auction packed with popular artists of the 20th century, Hans Hofmann’s colorful canvas A Certain Mood is one of the most eye-catching works up for sale. Helen Frankenthaler’s large-scale abstract painting, Summer Angel, and Roy Lichtenstein’s pop-art sculpture are also highlights.