By Carter B. Horsley
The November 7, 2007 auction of Impressionist and Modern Art works on paper at Christie's is highlighted by a stunning pastel by Edouard Vuillard, a beautiful watercolor by Emil Nolde, a beautiful gouache by Camille Pissarro, and a fine watercolor by Wassily Kandinsky.
Lot 128, "Biana Duhamel dans le role de 'Miss Helyett,'" is a spectacular pastel by Edouard Vuillard (1868-1940) that measures 16 1/4 by 10 1/8 inches. It was executed circa 1891-2 and has a modest estimate of $350,000 to $450,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 205 is a luscious watercolor of flowers by Emil Nolde (1867-1956). It measures 13 by 18 1/4 inches. It has a modest estimate of $100,000 to $150,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 155, "Leichter Block," by Wassily Kandinsky, watercolor, gouache, pen and India ink on paper, 18 1/2 by 11 3/8 inches, 1932
Lot 155 is a Klee-like watercolor, gouache, pen and India ink on paper by Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944). It measures 18 1/2 by 11 3/8 inches and was executed in 1932. It is property from the family and collection of Lydia Winston Malbin. It has an estimate of $300,000 to $500,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 189 is a very idyllic and lovely gouache on paper laid down on board by Camille Pissarro (1830-1903) (see The City Review article on the 2007 exhibition on the artist at The Jewish Museum). It measures 9 5/8 by 6 1/2 inches and was executed in 1890. It has an estimate of $140,000 to $180,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 208 is a classic seascape by Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956). A watercolor and pen and India ink on paper that measures 11 1/8 by 16 inches, it is entitled "Sommer Wolken" and was executed in 1927. It has a modest estimate of $30,000 to $40,000. It sold $106,600 including the buyer's premium as do all results mentioned in this article.
Lot 209 is a good gouache and watercolor on paper laid downon board by Paul Klee (1879-1940). Entitled "Garden am Wasser," it measures 8 1/4 by 12 3/4 inches and was executed in 1932. It has an estimate of $180,000 to $250,000. It sold for $634,600.
Lot 183 is a lovely abstraction by Georges Valmier (1885-1937). A gouache, watercolor, pen and ink and paper collage on paper laid down on board, it measures 7 3/8 by 4 7/8 inches and was executed in 1917-8. It has an estimate of $18,000 to $25,000. It sold for 91,000.
Lot 203 is an impressive watercolor on paper by George Grosz (1893-1959) entitled "Berliner Strassenszene." It measures 21 by 14 inches and was painted 1925. It has an estimate of $120,000 to $180,000. It sold for $337,000.