Grays is beginning the year with their 64th auction on January 30 featuring fine works of art by Rodin, Picasso and Miró, and a rare Käthe Kollwitz drawing. The large-scale original charcoal drawing by German Expressionist Käthe Kollwitz entitled Abschied (Farewell) was discovered by auctioneer Deba Gray to the delight of the consignor who was unaware of its rarity. Gray recognized the work as a study for Köllwitz’s etching Tod, Frau und Kind (Death Woman and Child), ca. 1910.

The auction also features a whimsical watercolor by the Catalan artist Joan Miró titled, Man, Moon and Tree (Lot 45). This watercolor is a wonderful example of Miró’s oft quoted philosophy “The spectacle of the sky overwhelms me. I’m overwhelmed when I see, in an immense sky, the crescent of the moon, or the sun. There, in my pictures, tiny forms in huge empty spaces. Empty spaces, empty horizons, empty plains - everything which is bare has always greatly impressed me” (from Twentieth-Century Artist’s on Art, 1958).

Lot 54 is a diminutive yet athletic bronze entitled Mouvement de Danse C, from an edition of twelve by Auguste Rodin. It is signed  “A. Rodin No. 9©” on the bottom of the sculpture’s left foot. Gray believes this to be a version cast by the Georges Rudier Foundry in 1956. It was purchased from a gallery in London, England in December 1956 by its current owner.

Gray’s first auction of 2013 features an extraordinarily strong selection of fine works of art. The list continues with Degas’ iconic bronze Le Tub. Cast shortly after 1919 this bronze was examined by Clare Vincent, Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, who determined it was an authentic cast made by the Hébrard Foundry. Charles Millard called Le Tub “The most original, not only of his own pieces , but of all 19th century sculptures.” (C.W.Millard, op, cit., page 107).

In May 1942, Martin Fabian published the Historie Naturelle by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, illustrated by Picasso. This auction features La Langouste, a full sheet artist’s proof on Vidalon wove paper with Ambroise Vollard watermark. It is signed and number II/V in pencil, together with an original cover page.

Other notable works in this well-rounded auction include a stunning life-sized marble by William Calder Marshall entitled Country Girl, signed and dated 1882 on the base, a muscular bronze by Alfred Boucher entitled Le Terrassier signed on the base, and a captivating Hans Erni tempera on paper entitled Boy Leaning on Table #75, signed and dated 'Erni 53' on the lower left. Lot 41 is a drawing by Marc Chagall, depicting a head in profile that is signed with a personal dedication. Furniture includes a late 19th/early 20th century English heavily carved walnut buffet. And the decorative arts portion of the auction is highlighted by a pair of Louis Comfort Tiffany Favrile glass shades with a gold damascene pattern.

The January 30 auction will take place at Gray’s spacious showrooms, located at 10717 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio at 11 am. Condition reports and shipping quotes are provided on request. Live online bidding for this auction is offered by liveauctioneers.com, together with live online, phone bidding and absentee bidding offered directly through GraysAuctioneers.com.  The auction showrooms will be open for preview January 23 - 29, 11am - 6pm, Saturday, January 26, 12pm - 4pm.  There will be a preview party for this sale in the showroom on Friday January 25,5 - 8 pm. The complete illustrated catalog for this auction can be found at GraysAuctioneers.com.

Gray’s Auctioneers and Appraisers is the most renowned and reputable auction house in Northern Ohio, holding live auctions every month, and offering complimentary valuations every day.

For more information please contact Serena Harragin at 216.458.7695 or by email at serena@graysauctioneers.com