Landscape by Francis Bacon and Monet to Lead Christie's Art Sales
Christie's upcoming art sales in London will feature two notable landscapes: a dynamic Francis Bacon and a wistful Monet, both not seen at auction for a while.
Francis Bacon's Landscape near Malabata, Tangier
One of the highlights of Christie's art sales in London this year will be Francis Bacon's Landscape near Malabata, Tangier (1963). This painting, estimated at £15 million-£20 million, is a tribute to Peter Lacy, with whom the artist shared a passionate yet often abusive relationship. It was created in London a year after Lacy's tragic death in Tangiers at the age of 46. The painting has been in the same collection for over 20 years and holds the record for the most expensive Bacon ever sold, when it fetched $517,000 at Sotheby's New York in 1985. The painting will be on display at Christie's New York until February 19.
The Bacon painting was initially sold by Marlborough Gallery in 1963 and has been exhibited in 32 shows across 27 cities worldwide. Notable exhibitions include the 1971-72 retrospective at the Grand Palais in Paris and the Royal Academy of Arts's 'Francis Bacon: Man and Beast' in 2022. Bacon's current auction record is held by his 1969 piece Three Studies of Lucian Freud, which was sold for $142.4 million at Christie's New York in 2013.
Monet's Matinée sur la Seine, temps net
Another significant artwork at Christie's upcoming art sales is Monet's Matinée sur la Seine, temps net (1897). This painting is part of Monet's 'Mornings on the Seine' series, comprising 21 pictures that capture the same section of the famous river at different times of the day. Estimated to fetch £12 million-£18 million, this painting is going to auction for the first time in 45 years.
Matinée sur la Seine, temps net was created in Monet's bateau-atelier (studio-boat) located in Giverny, the countryside village where he produced many renowned works, including the 'Nymphéas' (Water Lilies) series. The artwork was last exhibited in 1990 as part of the 'Monet in the '90s: The Series Paintings' exhibition held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The painting will be on display at Christie's London from March 1 through 7.
Exhibition Details
The Francis Bacon painting, Landscape near Malabata, Tangier, will be showcased at Christie's New York until February 19. Following that, both the Bacon painting and Monet's Matinée sur la Seine, temps net will be displayed at Christie's London from March 1 to 7.
Christie's big art sales in London this year will be highlighted by these two extraordinary landscapes that haven't appeared at auction in quite some time. The Bacon painting holds historical significance as the most expensive Bacon artwork ever sold, while Monet's painting is a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a piece from the 'Mornings on the Seine' series.
