Piguet to Auction Rare Manolo Millares Painting in Geneva
On June 10 in Geneva, auction house Piguet will present Manolo Millares's 1960 artwork Cuadro (I), with an estimated value between €109,600 and €165,000 (CHF 100,000–150,000). Millares (1926-1972), a key figure in the El Paso group, created a distinctive plastic language using burlap during this era. This painting has remained in a private collection for over three decades and was previously auctioned at Sotheby's in 1988 and Christie's in 1995. Adeline Bisch Balerna, an expert, emphasized the importance of its rediscovery for collectors of postwar art. It will be showcased alongside Antoni Tàpies's Roig sobre negre. Millares was featured in the 1957 São Paulo Biennial, the 1958 Venice Biennale, and MoMA's 1960 New Spanish Painting and Sculpture exhibition.
Key facts
- Piguet auction house will auction Manolo Millares's Cuadro (I) in Geneva on June 10.
- The painting is estimated at €109,600–€165,000 (CHF 100,000–150,000).
- Cuadro (I) was executed in 1960, a decisive period for Millares.
- Millares was a founding member of the El Paso group and key figure of Spanish Informalism.
- The work has been in a private collection for over 30 years, previously sold at Sotheby's in 1988 and Christie's in 1995.
- Expert Adeline Bisch Balerna highlighted the painting's key date, emblematic burlap technique, anthropomorphic presence, and international provenance.
- The painting will be presented alongside Antoni Tàpies's Roig sobre negre.
- Millares was represented by Pierre Matisse and exhibited at the 1957 São Paulo Biennial, 1958 Venice Biennale, and MoMA's 1960 New Spanish Painting and Sculpture.
Entities
Artists
- Manolo Millares
- Antoni Tàpies
- Pierre Matisse
Institutions
- Piguet
- Sotheby's
- Christie's
- El Paso
- MoMA
- Museo Reina Sofía
- Tate
- Bienal de São Paulo
- Bienal de Venecia
- Museum of Modern Art
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Locations
- Geneva
- Switzerland
- New York
- United States
- Madrid
- Spain
- London
- United Kingdom
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Venice
- Italy
- New York City