Christie’s January sale “The Art of France” celebrates 18th century French paintings

NEW YORK, N.Y.- Following the sale of Old Master Paintings on January 25, 2012 at 2pm, Christie’s will hold a specialized sale, The Art of France, dedicated to 18th century French paintings including a rich selection of works by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, among others. That same afternoon, at 5pm, Christie’s will present a sale of Wines of France. Leading the sale is one of the most beautiful of Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s (Grasse 1732–1806 Paris) small-scale domestic scenes, The Good Mother (estimate: $5-7 million). This oval-shaped [...]

Francis Bacon Painting Shown Alongside Artist’s Favorite Work

LONDON.- The Estate of Francis Bacon has generously placed an important painting by the artist on loan to The Courtauld Gallery. Untitled (Crouching Figures), c.1952, went on display from yesterday and will initially be presented alongside Honoré Daumier’s Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, c.1870, in recognition of Bacon’s admiration for Daumier’s masterpiece. When James Thrall Soby, curator at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, was researching his book on Francis Bacon he contacted Harry Fischer, director of Marlborough Fine [...]