graphic masterworks: 100 years of influential poster design at christie’s
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GRAPHIC MASTERWORKS: 100 YEARS OF INFLUENTIAL POSTERDESIGN AT CHRISTIES
IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTION FROM EMINENT POSTER CONNISEUR
MARTIJN LE COULTRE FEATURES RARE POSTERS NEVER SEEN ON THE MARKET
South Kensington, LondonChristies will present a striking collection of over 100 vintage posters that explore
developments in graphic design from 1894 to 1988 in the Graphic Masterworks: A Century of Design auction on 2
October 2013. The collection, put together over 40 years by eminent poster connoisseur Martijn Le Coultre,
features artists who were at the forefront of avant-garde art and design, known for their revolutionary use of
typography, layout and colour and their impact on the De Stijl, Bauhaus, Constructivism and Expressionism
movements. With estimates ranging from 1,000 to 200,000, the sale offers a unique opportunity to acquire some
of the rarest and most groundbreaking posters and graphics ever produced. Highlights from the sale can be viewed
at an extended public exhibition, open until 30 August at Christies King Street.
Sophie Churcher, Specialist in the Vintage Posters department at Christies commented: In the late nineteenth
and early twentieth century the poster was the primary means of advertising and as such, it had to grab the attention of the passer-by in a
matter of seconds. Today, these posters connect with people in a very direct and immediate manner, and are just as powerful as when they
were first presented to the public. Graphic Masterworks traces important developments in advertising and design, whilst reflecting
significant moments in the social and cultural history of the twentieth century. Originally designed to last just a few weeks before they
were torn down, the posters on offer are exceptionally rare, and many have neverbeen seen at auction before.
P R E S S R E L E A S E | S O U T H K E N S I N G T O N
F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E : 2 1 A u g u s t 2 0 1 3
Joost Schmidt
Staatilches Bauhaus Ausstellung
Estimate: 150,000-200,000
Stenberg Brothers (Vladimir;
Georgi)
The GeneralEstimate: 30,000 50,000
Jean Carlu
Thtre Pigalle, lairages, Machinerie
Estimate: 30,000-40,000
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HIGHLIGHTS
One of the rarest and most valuable posters in the sale is Staatliches Bauhaus by
Joost Schmidt. (Estimate: 150,000200,000, illustrated left).
Martijn Le Coultre recalled: When the Bauhaus organised its milestone exhibition in1923, inflation in Germany was at an all-time high. It was impossible to source good paper for
posters so very few survived. Those that did are fragile and much sought after. It took me 25
years to find this work, now its my turn to offer it to another collector.
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Thetre Pigalleby Jean Carlu (Estimate: 30,000-40,000, illustrated left) is one of the
most abstract posters in the collection and another key lot in the sale. Created for
the opening night of the art deco theatre in 1929, Carlus design conceptualises
the groundbreaking engineering of the new venue by emphasising the lighting and
mechanics, creating a truly avant-garde design.
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Prominent figures in Moscow's artistic avant-garde circles, The Stenberg Brothers
worked in a variety of mediums, from Constructivist sculpture to theatre design
and architecture. They made their greatest impact, however, on poster designduring the 1920s, creating some of the most experimental and powerful designs
ever conceived. The brothers designed The General (Estimate: 30,000-50,000
illustrated left), to advertise the cinematic comedy masterpiece by Clyde Bruckman
and Buster Keaton. Their revolutionary approach to design, the introduction o
implied movement and distortion of scale, is typical of the Constructivist style they
pioneered.
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POSTER DESIGN AND THE INFLUENCE OF ADVERTISING
One of the earliest advertising images included in the collection is a Dutch poster for
salad oil, estimated to fetch 20,000 to 25,000 (illustrated left). Designed by Jan Toorop
in the 1890s, Delftsche Slaolie with its sinuous forms of the lavishly dressed women
merging into the patterned background reflects the values of the prosperous bourgeoissociety which fuelled Art Nouveau. This poster became so popular that Art Nouveau is
known today as the Salad Oil Style in The Netherlands.
Advertising designs became increasingly simplified
in the early 20th Century with a new pared down
quality, exemplified by the Sachplakatstyle. Strong
images emerged where only the brand name and
adverstised product were represented. Pioneered by prolific designer Lucian
Bernhard , Sachplakatfeatured clean, clear and accurate lines and flat blocks ofcolour. It was a groundbreaking and compelling style that shaped the future of
commercial advertising. Lucian Bernhards Manoli, 1910 (estimate:10,000
15,000, illustrated, right) is the archytypal example.
Art Deco posters included in the sale such as Ren Magrittes Primevre poster
(estimate: 12,000 16,000, illustrated left), shows the development of advertising in
more lavish design. Better known for his Surrealist works, Magritte was a prolific
magazine and advertising illustrator and contributed greatly to the Art Deco
movement with his poster, wallpaper and textile designs. He produced Primevre in1926, the same year that he created his first surrealist painting.
Following the Second World War, dramatic
changes in technology, consumer desires and an
increasingly competitive market greatly
influenced the advertising industry. Posters had
to convey a multitude of messages and designers
were required to think conceptually, as well as aesthetically. Abram Games
Guinness 5 Million Daily(estimate: 1,000 1,500, illustrated right) conveys hisphilosophy on design: maximum meaning by minimum means.
Highlights from the sale will be displayed in frames by leading framer John Jones.
PRESS CONTACT: Coralie Whittall|+44 (0)207 752 3121 |[email protected]
Public Exhibition:Saturday 28 September 11.00am5.00pmSunday 29 September 11.00am5.00pm
Auction:Graphic MasterworksA Century of DesignWednesday 2 October 2013
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
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Monday 30 September 9.00am7.30pmTuesday 1 October 9.00am5.00pm
2.00pm
Christies South KensingtonOpen seven days a week, Christies South Kensington is one of the busiest salerooms in the UK attracting over 200,000 visitors each yearWith over 100 sales and offering more than 20,000 lots annually, estimates start from under 1,000. Interiors sales dedicated to homefurnishings are held three times a month alongside regular Sunday sales of single-owner collections. Specialised sales for the avid collectorare scheduled throughout the year according to category, and include Popular Culture Memorabilia, Vintage Couture, Islamic Art,Jewellery, 20 th Century British Art and Chinese Works of Art, amongst others. In 2012 Christies South Kensington realised the highestever total for the third consecutive year with sales of 139.4 million / $223.1 million having welcomed a 10% growth in registered bidder
and a 20% increase ( / $) in total sales.
About ChristiesChristies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in the first half of 2013 that totaled 2. 4 billion/ $3.68
billion. In 2012, Christies had global auction and private sales that totaled 3.92 billion/$6.27 billion making it the highest annual total in
Christies history. Christies is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as internationa
glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the
centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christies offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories
including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100
million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War
and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled 465.2 million ($711.8 million) in the firs
half of 2013, an increase of 13% on the previous year, and for the third successive year represents the highest total for the period in both
company and art market history.
Christies has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris
Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zrich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. More recently, Christies has led the market with
expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in
Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.
*Estimates do not include buyers premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyers premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyers o
sellers credits.
About John Jones
John Jones is a global centre of excellence in the preservation and presentation of fine art. Established in north London during the 1960s
the museum standard services include bespoke picture framing, art installation, fine art conservation, collection management and artwork
printing. Each frame design for the Graphic Masterworks sale has been hand-made by UK based craftspeople with conservation grade
materials and is available to purchase. For more information on John Jones services, or to book an appointment for a free framing
consultation, please visit www.johnjones.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)20 7281 5439.
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