Early painting by Adrian Ghenie for sale
Two works by Adrian Ghenie, including an oil on canvas from 2007, are up for sale in Artmark’s auction of postmodern and contemporary art on February 20.
“Untitled”, understood in the key of the self-portrait, a composition of the facets of the self, was realized six years after the painter from Baia Mare graduated from the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca and two years after he founded, together with Mihai Pop, the Plan B gallery in the same city.
The work is from the artist’s monochrome period and has been estimated at between €25,000 and €45,000. His entire creative process was a challenging one, with Ghenie often using so-called ‘unconventional’ objects: from paintbrushes for painters to towels or other such rudimentary, readily available pieces.
In the same event is “Study for the Devil (3)”, digital print by Ghenie. This is a study for a work the artist made in 2010.”The Devil” is a theme that has taken various incarnations in the artist’s work over the years – from natural disasters to political figures. The oil version of the work was part of the artist’s solo exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst in Ghent (Belgium) in 2010. This study was estimated at €1,000 – €1,800.
“Study for the Devil (3)”
Among the 218 lots in the auction is “Dark Eyes”, oil on cardboard by Ion Țuculescu, with an estimated value of €30,000 – €50,000, part of the collection of George Macovescu, Foreign Minister (1972-1978) and President of the Writers’ Union (1978-1982).
Another important lot is an untitled oil on canvas dated 2016 and signed by Ecaterina Vrana, estimated at €10,000-18,000.
The event also brings to the Artmark Galleries two portraits of Ion Iliescu, former President of Romania (1989-1996 and 2000-2004), signed by Marian Condruz (maximum estimate €900) and Dan Hatmanu (maximum estimate €1,600), unknown to the public.
The exhibition dedicated to the auction is open from February 7 to February 20 at the Cesianu-Racoviță Palace. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 20:00. Admission is free.
