Post Auction Catalog(s) 

 Title: Rago The Kenneth I. Freed Collection of Contemporary ARt & Post-War & Contemporary Art - A Total Of Four Auction Catalogs!!  

Auctions held in: Lambertville N.J.

Sale Dates:  11/18/06 & 5/16/09 & 11/15/08 & 5/17/08

No. of Lots: 1305

No. of Pages: 515

Condition:  Very Good

Kenneth Freed is well known in the world of contemporary art as a passionate collector and curator with an eye for emerging artists. On November 18, a huge and active pool of international bidders driving the sale well above the high estimate, topping $2.25 million, creating first-time auction records for many and setting records for others. Among the record-setting artists: Liz Larner (Pyx at $27,600), Thomas Nozkowski (Untitled [8-15] at $31,200), and Lee Lozano (a drawing at $19,200), as well as Ree Morton, Ewan Gibbs, Heide Fasnacht, Linda Besemer, Roxy Paine, and John Tremblay. The majority of the artists in Freed’s collection have brought high prices in galleries, but were untested in the auction arena. Results at RAGO's’s have proved that the resale market for these artists is thick and resilient.

A highlight among the paintings is a large, untitled Wojcieck (Voy) Fangor from 1964, perfectly of its time. Signed and dated, it is offered at $30,000-50,000. Also sure to draw interest is a mixed media on board by Dario Villalba(presale estimate $2,500-3,500) and Chris Johanson’s acrylic “Neighborhood” (presale estimate $2,000-3,000), as well as work by George Morrison, Peter Wegner and John Von Wicht. 

The bronze sculpture of contemporary artist Zhu Wei is proudly offered for the first time at Rago’s, with his modern take on Chinese party cadres, “China China”, estimated at $80,000-120,000. Also among the sculptures here is Ernesto Caivano’s “Stealthe Explosion” in painted wood from 2003, estimated at $1,800-2,400. A take on the candlestand furniture form by Richard Pettibone and one of Jeff Koons’ best loved works, “Puppy” are for sale, both estimated at $3,000-5,000. Swiss sculptor François Stahly, known for public works both in Europe and America, where Nelson Rockefeller was one of his greatest patrons, is represented by three works in the sale, including his 1963 bronze “Croissance", purchased directly from the artist (presale estimate $4,000-6,000). There is also workfrom Francis Alÿs, Richard Hunt and Takashi Murakami.

A 1948 abstract in gouache by Afro Basaldella with excellent provenance is one of the finest among the works on paper in the sale. It carries an estimate of $30,000-40,000. Other highlights include Sonia Sekula’s “Blue-S” (presale estimate $2,000-3,000); Jim Lambie’s 2001 mixed media “Aretha” (presale estimate $3,000-5,000); an untitled work in conte crayon and charcoal by Maureen Gallace (presale estimate $1,200-1,800); Sol LeWitt’s gouache “Irregular Grid, (presale estimate $3,000-5,000); three works by Marcel Dzama, as well as the work of William Baziotes, Cecily Brown, Ingrid Calame, George Condo, William N. Copley, Gene Davis, Kim Jones, Byron Kim, David Rayson, David Salle, Tim Stoner and Philip Taaffe.Gustav Klimt Liebespaar nach rechts (Lovers), ca. 1914; Pencil on paper; Stamped; 14 3/4" x 22" (sheet); Literature: Strobl 2466. Est: $100,000-150,000. Freder ick William MacMonnies Pan of Rohallion, 1890; Bronze; Signed and dated "Frederick MacMonnies / Paris 1890" and titled; 30 1/8" high. Est: $10,000-15,000. Edward Willis Redfield Bridge at Charenton, 1900; Oil on canvas (framed); Signed; 26" x 32"; Exhibition: Paris Exposition of 1900 (label on verso); Paris Salon, 1901; 70th Annual Exhibition of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 1901; 76th Annual Exhibition of the National Academy of Design, New York City, 1901. Est: $45,000- 55,000.Wojcieck (Voy) Fangor Untitled, 1964; Oil on canvas (framed); Signed and dated; 51 3/8" x 51 1/4"; Provenance: Private Collection, New York. Est: $30,000-50,000 Afro Basaldella Untitled, 1948; Gouache on paper laid down on board (framed); 13 1/4" x 18 3/4". Est: $30,000-40,000. Zhu Wei China China, 2005; Bronze; Signed and numbered 5/12; 50" high (including base); Est: $80,000-120,000.

Contemporary photographs are another mainstay of the sale and there are a number to choose from, including the work of artists Larry Clark, Gregory Crewdson, John Dugdale, Nan Goldin, Justine Kurland, Barbara Morgan and Stephen Shore. There are two photographs by William Eggleston: an untitled view of a construction site and “Window and Lace Curtain”, both estimated at $3,000-5,000. Also notable is Robert Mapplethorpe’s 1981 portrait “Vincent” (presale estimate $3,000-5,000) and Cindy Sherman’s Pig Woman from 1986 (presale estimate $2,000- 3,000).

Highlights among the original prints and multiples in the sale include a Chuck Close self portrait (presale estimate $10,000-15,000); Richard Diebenkorn’s “Two Right Triangles” (presale estimate $3,000-5,000); Helen Frankenthaler’s “Corot's Mark” (presale estimate $5,000-7,000); skateboard decks by Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami and more by Joseph Albers, Richard Artschwager, Joseph Beuys, Stuart Davis, David Hockney, Robert Indiana, Jasper Johns, Alex Katz, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Mangold, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist and Kiki Smith.

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