FRANK STELLA | SINJERLI VARIATION II (AXSOM 115)

Art of the second half of the twentieth century was just as revolutionary and bold as the times. In all cultural, social and political realms, there was a questioning of traditions, definitions and boundaries. Young artists departed from past techniques, genres and subjects, even beyond the radical developments and towering achievements of the Abstract Expressionists of the 1940s-1950s. By the 1960s, the drive for creative discovery led to the birth of Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art and Process Art. While the art of these disparate movements might not look the same, all of it addressed a fervent pursuit of the power of the idea behind art, rather than the object produced. Warhol’s expansion of the Dadaist principles about form and content were just as conceptual as the art of Minimalism, and as Sol LeWitt succinctly declared, “Conceptual art became the liberating idea that gave art of the next 40 years its real impetus” (the artist quoted in Saul Ostrow, “Sol LeWitt,” Bomb Magazine, Issue 85, Fall 2003, n.p.).

Few far-sighted collectors responded as passionately to the new Minimalist forms and ideas in the visual arts as this anonymous American private collector. Undaunted by complicated or challenging art, this collector embraced provocative works and formed one of the most dedicated and insightful collections to emerge in the last 30 years. Non-representational art by American artists is at the core of the collection, the product of a unique and elegant eye, and an independent, contemplative and thoughtful spirit. As do many cutting-edge collections, it includes works acquired close to their date of execution and in-depth compilations of works that follow the arc of an artist’s career. Paintings and drawings were selected based on personal instinct and visceral pleasure, inspired by the desire to live with the art and to continue the dialogue between artist and viewer that was the goal of most contemporary artists. The love of collecting often grows with an appreciation of the role of art in a democratic and nurturing society, and this was a guiding principle for the private collector who formed this cohesive and contemplative group of works. The collector supported major local museums through personal leadership, financial giving and donations of works of art. Having frequented museums as a means of forming aesthetic taste and judgment, this collector was keenly aware of the importance of art museums to the local community.

This collection has a refined focus on color, line and shape, all of which are hallmarks of Minimalist art’s goal to redefine the basic elements of art and Sotheby’s is pleased to be offering a selection of Contemporary Art from this distinguished collector in New York across sales this summer and fall of 2019.