Il Ponte's June Auction: Fontana Ceramic Leads 275-Lot Sale in Milan

Milan's Il Ponte auction house is gearing up for its Modern and Contemporary Art session on June 11-12, 2019, featuring 275 lots. The highlight is Lucio Fontana's 1952 polychrome glazed ceramic 'Ballerina,' expected to set a record for the artist. Freddy Battino, Director of the Modern and Contemporary Art Department, emphasized the auction's cultural narrative, including a never-before-exhibited marble 'Maschera di Mussolini' by Adolfo Wildt (1923) and seven works on paper by Fortunato Depero (1926-1952) from Gianni Mattioli's collection. International offerings include works from the Silva Collection (two Kentridge pieces), and pieces by Hans Hartung, Ben Nicholson, and Yves Klein, all previously shown at Galleria Blu in Milan, where Battino was artistic director. The auction reflects growing market interest in ceramics, with notable lots by Fausto Melotti and Pablo Picasso. Battino noted that Fontana's ceramics have seen rising prices, citing the 2018 sale of 'Crocifisso' for over €300,000. The sale is preceded by a public exhibition from June 7-9.