"About a year ago anxious prospects made for uncertainty, but the art market has not only proven stability in challenging times, it even reached new heights", said Robert Ketterer, owner of Ketterer Kunst. "Its the quality that counts", he continues in view of his main auction on 12 June 2010, which has its focal points on:

1. Modern Art
2. Post War/Contemporary Art

on 1. Modern Art
This section will be headed by several works by Gabriele Münter: Besides the lucent red portrait "Beim Malen" (presumably Marianne von Werefkin) (estimate: € 270 000-380 000), the "Landschaft mit Sonnenblumen" from 1910, which will be called up with an estimate of € 250 000-350 000 is another definite highlight. Both works are prime examples of the artist’s examination of a painting style that put an emphasis on the contour. In favor of a more stringent color effect, Münter reduced all forms to black-bordered surfaces. Additionally, due to the strict geometry, the colors seem stronger. Her work "Staffelsee" (estimate: € 140 000-180 000) from 1934 also carries these outstanding features.

Another top lot will be a work by Wladimir Georgiewitsch von Bechtejeff. After having realized great achievements with "Die Kurtisane" (result: € 474 000*), "Vier badende Mädchen" (result: € 454 000*) and "Zirkusszene" (results: € 300 000*) at Ketterer over the past few years, one can now look forward in excitement to the oil painting "Reptilien" in a size of 65 x 85 cm. The estimate for the work from 1912 is at € 250 000-350 000.

With an estimate of € 100 000-150 000 each, a "Variation" by Alexej von Jawlensky enters the race along with the oil painting "Holsteinisches Bauernhaus" by Christian Rohlfs, who will also be represented with the tempera work "Blaues Haus" (estimate: € 40 000-60 000). The title of Jawlensky’s "Variation" says it all, as the artist is borne by color inspirations that he arranges in a composition of amorphic shapes. If the relation between music in abstract art is evoked time and again, it seems to have found a strong manifestation in Jawlensky’s variations, in which the basic subject is modified over and over again. The same can be said about his "Stilleben: Grauer Klang" from 1936. The estimate for the work in a size of 18,9 x 12,3 cm is at € 50 000-70 000, whereas the similar "Meditation No. 278" in a small format can be acquired for € 45 000-55 000.

The field of sculptures and objects will be led by "La table grecque" by Diego Giacometti. With this rectangular table (44 x 122 x 97 cm), of which there is also a square variant, the artist playfully realizes the table’s basic static functions. Its estimate is at € 120 000-150 000 whereas his "Bibliothèque au Mexique" could be purchased for an estimate of € 75 000-95 000. In this rather rare motif of a storage rack the artist hints at the object’s intended use as a bookshelf by means of two owls symbolizing wisdom at the rear tips.

Less voluminous are Auguste Rodin‘s bronze "Andrieu d'Andres (Les bourgeois de Calais)" (estimate: € 70 000-90 000) and Ernst Barlach‘s bronze "Der Buchleser", which has been estimated at € 60 000-80 000. The seated figure symbolizes an isolation from all that is profane. The simple forms, which are thickened to a compact mass in the heavy tucks of the robe, embody calmness and serenity.

The section of Modern Art is rounded off by works such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner‘s color pen drawing "Sitzende am Tisch" (estimate: each € 30 000-40 000) as well as works by the following artists: Herbert Bayer, Max Beckmann, Albert Birkle, Albert Bloch, Eward Cucuel, Sonia Delaunay-Terk, Kees van Dongen, Helmut vom Hügel gen. Kolle, Tamara de Lempicka, August Macke, Ewald Mataré, Otto Mueller (two sheets from the "Zigeunermappe"), Emil Nolde, Pablo Picasso, Hermann Max Pechstein and Arnold Topp.

on 2: Post War/Contemporary Art

Next to Roy Lichtenstein‘s "Reverie" (estimate: € 85 000-95 000) and Tom Wesselmann‘s oil painting "Study for a Nude Painting Print" from 1979, the composition "Andalousie" by Maurice Estève from 1954 is another top lot in this section. The estimate for the latter is between € 120 000-160 000. While Estève‘s oeuvre establishes a new picture language, a lyrical abstraction, with the aim to display form and color in an almost poetic manner, Tom Wesselmann focuses on the critical examination of the consumer society and it’s influence on the individual.

ZERO art is currently on the upswing. More and more collectors fall for its meditative appeal, which is caused by the works‘ rhythm and dynamics. Particularly works by Günther Uecker are more sought-after than ever before. A definite highlight will be his nail work "Feld (Haut)" ["Field (Skin)"] from 1964 that will enter the race at an estimate between € 200 000 and 300 000. Another work that will make for excitement in the auction room is his "Spirale" in a size of 90 x 90 cm. It will be called up with an estimate of € 80 000-120 000.

Furthermore, two works by Gotthard Graubner also cut a fine figure. His large-size (200 x 200 cm) "Farbraumkoauml;rper (Gelb)" from 1982/83 is estimated at € 50 000-70 000. An untitled work by the artist can be obtained for € 25 000-35 000. In this work in a size of ca. 55 x 60 cm Graubner manages to enhance the coincidental progression of the paint to color compositions of an impressive depth and presence by using nylon gauze.

A reduction to black and white, which is so characteristic of ZERO, can be found in Heinz Mack‘s "Structure dynamique noire" from 1962. In order to evade Tachism‘s formlessness and classical principles of composition, the artist created vibrating rhythm curves that are reminiscent of cardiograms. The work in a size of 109,5 x 129 cm has been estimated at € 40 000-60 000.

The range of ZERO works will be rounded off by Adolf Luther‘s "Integreation, Sphärisches Hohlspiegelobjekt", a large-size object in seven parts, which does a perfect job in confusing the observer. The large amount of mirrors do not just multiply their surrounding and twist and distort the perspective, their motion also conveys a complex optical experience. The estimate is at € 60 000-80 000.

Other interesting lots will be Joauml;rg Immendorff‘s bronze "Affenbaum" (estimate: € 70 000-90 000), Peter Doig‘s "High-Way" (estimate: € 75 000-85 000) as well as Damien Hirst‘s "Second Series Biopsy ..." (estimate: € 60 000-80 000) and Johann Georg Müller‘s "Soho/Die Schau" as well as works by Georg Baselitz, Eduardo Chillida, Rupprecht Geiger, Keith Haring, Martin Kippenberger, Fritz Koenig, Norbert Kricke, Robert Longo, Richard Pettibone, Gerhard Richter, Julian Schnabel, Frank Stella and Emil Schumacher.

Since it was founded in 1954, Ketterer Kunst has been firmly established in the front ranks of auction houses dealing in art and rare books, with its headquarters in Munich and a branch in Hamburg. Gallery rooms in Berlin as well as representatives in Heidelberg and Krefeld have contributed substantially to the company's success. Ketterer Kunst has further rounded off its portfolio with the prestigious Ernest Rathenau Verlag, New York/Munich. In addition, exhibitions, special theme and charity auctions as well as online auctions are regular events at Ketterer Kunst.
* The result is the hammer price plus buyer’s premium