Gimcrack by Stubbs. (click on image to enlarge)
A curated exhibition showcasing highlights from one of Christie’s most exciting auction seasons is on display at King St. in London from June 13 to June 15. Museum quality works by artists including Michelangelo, Gainsborough, Goya, Stubbs, Monet, Picasso and Renoir, exceptional furniture and medieval manuscripts are included in a disiplay of over 100 works entitled Masterpieces. Most will be offered at auction during the next four weeks in a season expected to realise more than £250 million.
Jussi Pylkkänen, President & Chairman of Christie’s, Europe, Middle East, Russia & India said: “This year we have curated an exhibition for the public of extraordinary quality. The Masterpieces show will include Michelangelo’s beautiful study for the “The Battle of Cascina”, which has been seen in public only once since it was executed, Pablo Picasso’s voluptuous portrait of Marie-Therèse, which was last exhibited in 1941, Thomas Gainsborough’s mesmerising portrait of Miss Read, unseen in public since 1936 and last but not least an astonishing 17th Century sculpture by Adriaen de Vreis which has never been exhibited in public and is one of the great Christie’s discoveries of this generation.”
Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath, with a Trainer, a Stable- Lad, and a Jockey by George Stubbs (1724-1806) is one of the most valuable Old Master paintings offered at auction. From the Woolavington Collection it is expected to realise in excess of £20 million on July 5.
A further highlight is The Duke of Portland’s copy of the original edition of John James Audubon’s masterpiece, The Birds of America. This will be offered in New York on January 20, 2012 and is estimated at $7-10 million.