Past Auction

20th Century Abstraction

Wed, Mar 08, 2023 at 11am EST |

New York

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U.S. Auction Records for Fernando Zobel and Juan Genovés!

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Auction of 20th Century Abstraction on March 8, 2023 Surpassed Expectations
International Competition Set U.S. Auction Records for Fernando Zobel and Juan Genovés
Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions

NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's auction of 20th Century Abstraction on March 8, 2023 saw exceptional prices for abstract art spanning the 1940s through the end of the century. Competition from bidders across the nation and overseas drove the sale total over expectations and set new U.S. Auction Records for Fernando Zobel and Juan Genovés.

Fernando Zobel - A U.S. Auction Record!

Highlighting the sale was Valencia I by Filipino artist Fernando Zobel that sailed past its estimate of $100,000-150,000 to achieve $214,200 -- A U.S. Auction Record for the Artist. It far surpassed the prior U.S. Auction Record for Zobel of $125,000, which was also set at Doyle in November 2015.

Zobel began delving into abstract art after discovering the work of Mark Rothko in 1954, while enrolled in the Rhode Island School of Design. Bringing abstraction back to the Philippines, Zobel not only painted, but was a major patron of the arts, opening the Museo de Arte Abstracto Espanol in Cuenca, Spain which housed his massive personal art collection. From 1966, Valencia I shows Zobel at his best, balancing Abstract Expressionism with the graceful gestural brushstrokes Zobel learned while studying under Chinese calligraphy master Ch’en Bing Sun. Lot 38

Juan Genovés - A U.S. Auction Record!

Also attracting determined international competition was Fluidos by Spanish artist Juan Genovés, which more than doubled its $70,000-90,000 estimate, selling for $189,000 -- A U.S. Auction Record for the Artist.

Growing up in Spain during a time of great social and political upheaval, Juan Genovés created a body of work that often focuses on crowds of people traversing public spaces. From 2010, Fluidos is representative of Genovés' balance of figurative painting alongside abstract concepts, with clusters of figures in motion beneath a glowing sun, commenting on our shared sense of community. Lot 56

Lynn Chadwick - Doubles Expectations!

Sculpture in the sale was led by British artist Lynn Chadwick’s bronze Winged Figures Version II from 1973, which realized $126,000, doubling its $50,000-70,000 estimate. Winning the International Sculpture Prize over Alberto Giacometti at the Venice Biennalle in 1956, Chadwick’s Brutalist forms brought him worldwide acclaim. Winged Figures Version II from The Margolis Collection depicts Chadwick’s well-known male and female forms, with wing-like capes and geometrical heads. Lot 69

We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection. For information, please contact 212-427-4141, ext 237 or Paintings@Doyle.com