Boccioni's Futurist Masterpiece Heads to Sotheby's London Auction
Sotheby's will auction Umberto Boccioni's 'Testa + luce + ambiente' (1912) for the first time ever at its Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale in London on February 28, 2018. The oil on canvas, estimated at £5.5–7.5 million, comes from the collection of Margherita Sarfatti. Boccioni, who died at 33 in 1916, left few works; most are in museums like MoMA and Museo del Novecento. The auction also features Picasso's 'Femme au béret et à la robe quadrillée (Marie-Thérèse Walter)' (1937), estimated at £37 million, also appearing at auction for the first time. Helena Newman, Sotheby's Europe president, called the Boccioni a rare opportunity for collectors.
Key facts
- Umberto Boccioni's 'Testa + luce + ambiente' (1912) will be auctioned for the first time at Sotheby's London on February 28, 2018.
- The painting is estimated at £5,500,000 to £7,500,000.
- It comes from the collection of Margherita Sarfatti.
- Boccioni died in 1916 at age 33, leaving few works; most are in museums such as MoMA and Museo del Novecento.
- The auction also includes Picasso's 'Femme au béret et à la robe quadrillée (Marie-Thérèse Walter)' (1937), estimated at £37 million.
- Both works are appearing at auction for the first time.
- Helena Newman, global co-head of Sotheby's Impressionist & Modern Art Department and president of Sotheby's Europe, commented on the rarity of the Boccioni.
- The sale is part of Sotheby's effort to compete with Christie's, which led auction sales in 2017.
Entities
Artists
- Umberto Boccioni
- Pablo Picasso
- Marie-Thérèse Walter
- Margherita Sarfatti
Institutions
- Sotheby's
- Christie's
- MoMA
- Museo del Novecento
- Collezione Peggy Guggenheim
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Milan
- Italy
- New York
- United States
- Venice
- Reggio Calabria
- Chievo