Dedicated Picasso Sale Headlines a Full Day of Prints and Multiples, Setting the Stage for Exceptional Results at Freeman’s | Hindman
Freeman’s | Hindman’s highly anticipated, dedicated sale of Pablo Picasso prints and multiples, Picasso: Master of Multiple, launched a dynamic day of edition sales in Chicago on September 26.
Pablo Picasso Visage au nez noir (A.R. 609), including original wooden crate from Madoura, 1969 | Sold for $82,550
Jasper Johns Target, 1974 | Sold for $174,300
The auction, which paid homage to Picasso’s commitment to experimentation and pushing the boundaries of media, was impressively nearly 100% sold, showcasing rare and unique works that captivated collectors. Among the standout lots was Visage au nez noir (A.R. 609) (Lot 32), which soared to $82,550—well above its pre-sale estimate of $30,000 - 50,000—thanks in part to the inclusion of its original wooden crate from the Madoura studio. Another highlight was a canceled copper plate of Femme Blonde de Profil (from Vingt Poèmes de Góngora), 1947 (Lot 6), etched directly by Picasso, which realized $41,275 against an estimate of $15,000 - 25,000. The exceptional results underscored the strong demand for Picasso’s works and the enduring appeal of his revolutionary approach to printmaking.
The firm’s subsequent Prints and Multiples auction catered to a wide range of collectors, featuring everything from Old Master prints to sought-after Contemporary editions. Albrecht Dürer led the Old Masters session with St. Anthony Reading (Lot 148), whose distinguished, noble provenance helped it more than double its low estimate, achieving $53,975. The top lot of the sale was Jasper Johns’ Target, 1974 (Lot 45), a captivating piece that reflects the artist’s preoccupation with the merging of abstraction and representational forms, as well as the interplay between the mechanical and the handmade. The print, from the collection of Velma Engels in Denver, Colorado, sold for $174,300. Another highlight was Roy Lichtenstein’s vibrant and ever-popular Reflections on Soda Fountain, 1991 (Lot 59), which realized $76,200. Other top performers in the sale included works by Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, Alex Katz, Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Keith Haring.
Monica Brown, Managing Director of Fine Art and Head of the Prints and Multiples Department, says: “We couldn't be more thrilled with the results of Picasso: Master of Multiple. The sale presented a focused selection of artworks with exceptional attention to detail. The auction included property from each of our national offices, and being able to combine the artworks into a single cohesive format is certainly a strength for our firm which I was excited to showcase. Later in the day, our Prints and Multiples auction continued playing from strength to strength from Pop Art to Old Masters.”
Additional Highlights | Picasso: Master of Multiple
- Lot 5: Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973) | Le Repas Frugal, 1904; printed 1913 | Sold for $95,250
- Lot 11: Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973) | Minotaure caressant une dormeuse (from La Suite Vollard) | Sold for $69,850
- Lot 15: Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973) | Jacqueline au Bandeau de Face (Grand Tête de Femme), 1962 | Sold for $88,900
Additional Highlights | Prints and Multiples
- Lot 44: Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987) | Flowers, 1964 | Sold for $41,275
- Lot 75: Alex Katz (American, b.1927) | Samantha, 1987 | Sold for $31,750
- Lot 125: Marc Chagall (Belarusian/French, 1887–1985) | Nu et Coq, 1966 | Sold for $50,800
- Lot 134: Joan Miró (Spanish, 1893-1983) | One Plate from Série Noire et Rouge, 1938 | Sold for $41,275