Top Lots

Top Lots: Spring Art and Design

See highlights from Capsule's first sale of the spring.

Words by
Capsule
Published on
March 29, 2023

In celebration of the season, Capsule presents Spring Art and Design on April 6. The sale offers a plethora of fine art sourced from prominent estates and collections, such as that of Latin American art historian Graciela Kartofel. The auction also includes a range of stunning furniture and design items by designers and makers such as Le Corbusier, Mario Bellini, and Sōri Yanagi.

Lot 159, Pierre Jeanneret, Standard Lamp from Chandigarh, Red and Black

Lot 159 | Pierre Jeanneret, Standard Lamp from Chandigarh, Red and Black

Capsule

The sale offers two impressive floor lamps by Pierre Jeanneret, the famed Swiss architect. He created the designs while residing in Chandigarh, India as part of a project to plan the city for the newly independent Indian government in the late 1940s. Uncomplicated yet striking, these lamps exemplify the architect’s reverence for simple geometric forms. 

Lot 156, Le Corbusier for Cassina LC4 Chaise

Lot 156 | Le Corbusier for Cassina LC4 Chaise

Capsule

Interestingly, Jeanneret worked on the Chandigarh city planning project with his cousin and fellow architect Le Corbusier, furniture designs by whom are also featured in Capsule’s sale. His LC4 chaise has often been referred to as the “relaxing machine”: with its ergonomic arced shape, it is easy to see why this lounge has become an icon of modern design. A Petite Modele edition of Le Corbusier's LC2 chair is also available for bidding. 

Lot 162, Otto Schultz Lounge Chairs, Pair

Lot 162 | Otto Schultz Lounge Chairs, Pair

Capsule

A pair of velvet lounge chairs by German designer Otto Schultz are also included in the sale: his ability to marry clean modern forms with more baroque traditional furniture styles shines through here. Although low to the ground in a way that resembles mid century modern designs, the chairs' rich upholstery and puckered seat back feel reminiscent of earlier movements. 

Lot 102, Mathias Goeritz, Untitled (Geometric Form in White)

Lot 102 | Mathias Goeritz, Untitled (Geometric Form in White)

Capsule

Spring Art and Design also offers an assortment of Latin American artwork from the estate of art historian Graciela Kartofel, including an exquisite untitled sculpture by Mathias Goeritz. The clean square form exemplifies the artist’s belief in “emotional architecture,” or the idea that objects are capable of eliciting powerful emotional responses. Three collages by Mexican artist Rodolfo Morales are also being offered from Dr. Kartofel’s estate.

Three untitled collages by Rodolfo Morales

Three untitled collages by Rodolfo Morales

Capsule

Three collages by Mexican artist Rodolfo Morales are also being offered from Dr. Kartofel’s estate. Typical of the dreamlike scenes he has become famous for, these works are whimsical and complexly textured, inviting close and careful looking. 

Lot 44, Joseph Piccillo, Study - February (1981)

Lot 44 | Joseph Piccillo, Study - February (1981)

Capsule

Other highlights from the sale include Joseph Piccillo’s Study - February, a large-scale charcoal on paper work. The artist is best known for stunning renderings of horses in motion such as this one. Emerging from an entirely black background, the equine subject appears to gleam in the light. Its mane whipping in an invisible wind and the contours of its legs nearly obscured by the illusion of motion, the horse gallops across the dynamic composition.

Lot 46, Rufino Tamayo, Figura en Jarras (1980)

Lot 46 | Rufino Tamayo, Figura en Jarras (1980)

Capsule

Rufino Tamayo’s Figura en Jarras, a color aquatint on Guarra paper, marks another standout. “Art is a means of expression that must be understood by everybody, everywhere,” the artist once said. His unique aesthetic vocabulary and deep reverence for the power of simple forms certainly shines through here. Imposing and yet tranquil thanks to its earthy tones, Figura en Jarras impresses a sense of peace and harmony.

Lot 35, Will Barnet, Looking Forward - Looking Back

Lot 35 | Will Barnet, Looking Forward - Looking Back

Capsule

A stunning watercolor by Will Barnet, entitled Looking Forward - Looking Back, is also offered in April 6th's sale. Depicting a single double-faced figure against a swath of maroon, this work has the enigmatic quality that defines Barnet's body of work, which spans over 80 years. 

Pre-bidding for Spring Art and Design is available now. Live bidding begins April 6 at 11:00 AM EST.

More from the Capsule Dispatch