Dubai, 11 May, 2010 - Bonhams, one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques, will provide art enthusiasts with the opportunity to view and purchase museum quality 19th and 20th Century Orientalist works of art at their upcoming Dubai auction on 13th May. The collection will showcase masterpieces from renowned European and American artists including Edwin Lord Weeks, Rudolf Ernst and José Tapiro y Baro with value tags ranging from $3,000 to $1,500,000. Highlights from the sale will be available for preview in London, Abu Dhabi and Dubai prior to the sale.
"The May sale will represent the most valuable collection of Orientalist paintings ever offered at auction in the Middle East. The total collection is worth approximately $7 - 11 million. "We are proud to offer collectors the opportunity to share in some truly rare and exquisite Orientalist pieces which symbolize the interchange of cultural ideas throughout our shared history," says Matthew Girling, Bonhams Chief Executive Officer, Europe and the Middle East.
This sale is unique given the limited number of Orientalist artists and the absence of a dedicated museum collection. Some of the pieces have never been exhibited publically before and one of the highlights of the auction is a magnificent oil by the Orientalist master Rudolf Ernst. Depicting the presentation of a sword to a Pasha, this work radiates the nobility and power that its subject commands and it is a testament to the artist's skill that we also feel the awe of the Pasha's presence. The work is estimated at US$800,000 - 1,200,000.
Giles Peppiatt, Director of Orientalist Art at Bonhams commented, "The quality and power of these works cannot be overestimated. This collection is the finest collection of Orientalist pictures to come to the market in my 25 year career."
Orientalist art is about the Western artists' perceptions of Arabic life in the 19th and 20th centuries and these artists conquered many logistical and physical challenges to ensure they could present realistic reflections of the Arabic and Bedouin influence. Bonhams have broken new ground by bringing truly original, rare pieces back to their places of origin.
"It is a real pleasure to bring works of art back to the region from which they came and from where the artists' works were originally inspired. To have them displayed amidst the land and culture that embodies the Middle East places Orientalism into context," commented Taline Nicole Aynilian, Senior Specialist.
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ABOUT BONHAMS
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com (February 2010).
ABOUT THE MAY AUCTION
Bonhams' Orientalist Auction of Pictures and Works of Art is due to take place Thursday 13 May 2010 at the Royal Ballroom at the One & Only Royal Mirage, Dubai. Bonhams will be selling the most valuable collection of Orientalist paintings to have ever been offered by auction sale in the Middle East. Values now range from $3,000 to $1,500,000
Jean Francois Portaels (Belgian, 1818 - 1895)
oriental girl
oil on canvas
104 x 78 cm
$200 -300,000
Ludwig Deutsch (Austrian, 1855 - 1935)
Family at the door
oil on panel
53 x 46 cm
$250 - 350,000
Frederick Arthur Bridgman (American, 1847 - 1928)
The Weavers, Interior in Biskra
oil on canvas
100 x 130 cm
$400 - 600,000
Arthur von Ferraris
A Street in Cairo
oil on canvas
134 x 101 cm
$1,000,000 - 1,500,000
Edwin Lord Weeks (American, 1849 - 1903)
Before a Mosque
oil on canvas
$400 - 600,000
For further press information please contact :
Dubai
Katy Polley
Tel: +9715 07143885
Email: katy@graylingmomentum.com
UK: Julian Roup
Tel: 0207 468 8259
Email: julian.roup@bonhams.com
press@bonhams.com
© Press Release 2010
