Evening Sale on November 24 - 27 Billion Won in Artworks
Day Sale on November 25 - 2.1 Billion Won in Artworks
Seoul Auction will put a total of 29 billion won worth of artworks up for offline auction at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center on November 24 and 25. The auction will be divided into two categories: the "EVENING SALE: Eternal Emotion," which features high-value masterpieces, and the "CONTEMPORARY DAY SALE," which reflects the latest trends.
The "Evening Sale," taking place on November 24, is a high-end auction. Adopting the format used by global auction houses, which present major masterpieces in separate evening auctions, Seoul Auction aims to differentiate itself. There will be a total of 26 lots, with the combined low estimate reaching approximately 27 billion won. This is the largest single auction in Korea since 2008, reflecting Seoul Auction's commitment to driving the recent upward momentum in the art market.
The highlight of this auction is Marc Chagall, known as the "magician of color." His representative work, "Bouquet de Fleurs" (Bouquet of Flowers), will be auctioned with a starting price of 9.4 billion won. The year this piece was created, 1937, marked the 22nd anniversary of Chagall's marriage to his lifelong muse, Bella. The painting captures the rapture of love that defies gravity, symbolized by lovers embracing in midair. The bouquet filling the canvas and the blue hues represent a celebration of life that endures even through tragic times, embodying the universality of love and the artistic conviction Chagall pursued in their most complete form.
Also featured is the large-scale "Paysage de Paris" (Landscape of Paris), size 100, which encapsulates Chagall's late artistic world. Against a blue background, circus performers, trapeze artists, and figures holding candlesticks come together, offering a unique aesthetic where reality and fantasy coexist. In addition, two paintings on masonite from the 1980s will be presented, providing a comprehensive view of Chagall's diverse body of work.
Masterpieces by leading figures in Korean modern and contemporary art will also be seeking new owners. Kim Whanki's 1969 New York period work, "15-VI-69 #71 I," will be up for auction. This piece was created just before the artist perfected his unique "dot painting" style, revealing his intense formal experimentation with planes, lines, and pure color composition before transitioning to dots.
Lee Ufan's 1990 work "With Winds," a large-scale piece, offers a sense of rhythm as the free and dynamic brushstrokes seem to extend beyond the canvas. Also up for auction is the early sculpture series "Cyborg W10" by Lee Bul, a leading figure in contemporary Korean art. Exploring human identity and utopian fantasy in the age of technology, this work demonstrates both the depth and contemporaneity of Korean modern art.
Among international masters, a large landscape painting by David Hockney stands out. Measuring over two meters in height, this work explores the passage of time and the cycles of nature through images of felled trees and a desolate landscape.
The Day Sale, to be held on November 25, will feature works aimed at young and trend-conscious collectors. With 64 lots and a combined low estimate of approximately 2.1 billion won, the sale will present a wide spectrum, including paintings, editions, and luxury items.
Nicolas Party's watercolor, which has attracted significant attention in the global art market, creates a dreamlike landscape through jewel-like vivid colors and unconventional compositions. Original works by Kasing Lung, famous for the "Labubu" character, and pieces by Studio Lenca, which express immigrant identity through vibrant colors, will also be available.
Additionally, works by renowned Korean artists such as Lee Kangso, as well as luxury items like the Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama collaboration art bags, will add to the variety of attractions.
The preview exhibition for Seoul Auction's November Evening Sale and Day Sale will be open from November 13 until each auction day. The exhibition is free to the public and can be viewed daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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