Bonhams & Butterfields will hold its fall auction of Modern, Contemporary and Latin American Art on November 17, 2009 in Los Angeles.  Simulcast to the firm's San Francisco gallery, the over 200-lot sale should attract strong collector interest for its high quality and reasonably priced works by well-known artists.  Highlights from the well rounded selection will include pieces by Alexander Calder, Paul Cézanne, Pedro Coronel, Jim Dine, Emil Filla, George Grosz, Armand Guillaumin, Henri Lebasque, Fernand Léger, Maximilien Luce, Diego Rivera, Frank Stella, Maurice Utrillo, Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann and Francisco Zúñiga, as well as a selection of contemporary Asian art. 

According to Sharon Goodman Squires, newly appointed Specialist in Modern & Contemporary Art at Bonhams & Butterfields, "The firm is pleased to present a strong and diverse group of thoughtfully selected material during the November auction.  High quality and reasonably estimated works can be found throughout all sections of the sale at a variety of price points."

Untitled (John, Paul, George, Ringo and the Beatles), 1968 by Jim Dine is among the highlights of the fall auction.  Originally commissioned by Capitol Records for a Beatles album which was never made, the graphite and watercolor on vellum lot of five works depict individual toothbrushes labeled for each member of the iconic band: John, Paul, George and Ringo.  The pieces, which are expected to bring $25,000-35,000, have been in the private collection of former president of Capital Records, Sal Iannucci, and his wife Aileen, following the Beatles departure from the company to form Apple Records. 

The auction catalogue's cover lot, Study for a Blue Nude, 2000 by Tom Wesselmann is also generating much excitement among collectors and connoisseurs.  A classic example of the artist's style from his iconic "Blue Nude Series," the painting is characterized by the closely controlled style.  Rare to auction, the petite 'jewel-like' painting and is expected to bring $50,000-70,000 on November 17th. 

Additional featured works by Tom Wesselmann will include Drawing for Nude Tondo, 1993 (est. $20,000-30,000), Study for Seated Sunset Nude (est. $10,000-12,000) and Study for Great American Nude #82, 1966, which provides rare and remarkable insight into the artist's early creative process for the Great American Nude Series, which was the focus of his work for many years. 

Considered a driving force in the Op Art movement of the 1960s, Richard Anuszkiewicz technique explores the optical changes that occur when various hues are applied to similar geometric configurations.  Union of the Four, IV, 1968 on offer during the November auction, is a prime example of his style.  Comprised of nested square forms painted in high-intensity shades of red, yellow and white, the work is slated to bring . $10,000-15,000.

In addition, the sale will feature a strong group of Modern works by George Grosz, Alexander Calder, Arthur Dove, Emil Filla and Raymond Duchamp-Villon among others.  Notable highlights include Ghosts, 1934 by George Groz, which depicts the artist's distaste for Nazi Germany and excesses of power.

Additional works of note also include a group of preparatory studies by Paul Cézanne, which features sketches of the artist's sleeping child among others (est. $25,000-35,000); La terrasse devant la mer, Préfailles, 1922 by Henri Lebasque (est. $60,000-80,000); a rich impressionist forest landscape titled Epinay-sur-Orge, chemin en sous bois, 1890 by Armand Guillaumin, (set. $40,000-60,000); L'Échafaudage (étude), 1905 by Maximilien Luce (est. $50,000-70,000) and a French street scene titled Bourg-la-Reine by Maurice Utrillo (est. $70,000-90,000). 

An excellent and cohesive selection of Latin American Art will also be featured during the November auction.  Among the highlights is a fresh to market watercolor and charcoal on rice paper work by Diego Rivera titled En el Mercado, 1934 (est. $18,000-22,000); a painted terracotta sculpture entitled Mujer en ventana, 1951 by Francisco Zúñiga and two large colorful abstract Untitled oil on canvas pieces by Pedro Coronel.

Preview: November 6-8, San Francisco; November13-15, Los Angeles
Auction: November 17, 10:00am, Los Angeles

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Press Contact: Jannelle Grigsby, jannelle.grigsby@bonhams.com <mailto:jannelle.grigsby@bonhams.com>, (310) 567-7990