There is no Art Nouveau without Klimt. In the case of the upcoming Dorotheum sale, it is Georg Klimt, one of the painter’s two brothers. Two reliefs with female figures by Georg Klimt will go to the highest bidder by 18 November 2021. These two works, with an estimate between 15,000 and 30,000 euros, reveal the skill of this metal sculptor who was always greatly encouraged by his brother Gustav. Works from the artist’s estate were recently auctioned at Dorotheum. Also well-known are the doors of the Vienna Secession building, which were executed by Georg Klimt based on designs by Joseph Maria Olbrich. 

Works by the multi-talented Josef Hoffmann are always among the favourites at Dorotheum sales. A highlight at the upcoming auction is an armchair designed in around 1904 and executed by Kohn in 1906, model 322/F (starting price 25,000 euros). A silver vase and a hand mirror designed by Koloman Moser for the Wiener Werkstätte enrich the selection, as does a large female figure by Richard Luksch, based on a model in the garden of the Palais Stoclet in Brussels.

Graceful charm
There is strong international demand for works by Demetre Chiparus, the creator of charismatic female figures in bronze and ivory. Fed by the spirit of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties, they are characterised by their unmistakeable pose and graceful charm. The Paris-based artist was significantly influenced stylistically by the Ballets Russes, founded by Sergei Diaghilev in 1909. One of his much sought-after figures, the female sculpture ‘Renée’ standing on an onyx base, is part of the current auction. The estimate for this work, which is just under 54 cm high, is 18,000 to 25,000 euros.

Nature made of glass
Emile Gallé’s bowl ‘La Nature’ is one of the highlights of the auction. It was as presented at the Paris World’s Fair in 1900 as part of a display case entitled ‘Repos dans la solitude’, which contained outstanding works by this famous French glass artist. The bowl is designed with marqueterie de verre featuring an abstract seascape, a tree silhouette and a chain of hills on the horizon. The present work adopts themes from East Asian iconography and Impressionist lightness and can be regarded as one of Gallé’s most important works, which he called ‘uniques’, ‘artistiques’ and ‘de grand genre’. ‘A bravura achievement in terms of beauty, artistry and graceful perfection’, says Art Nouveau expert Magda Pfabigan with enthusiasm (€ 60,000 - 100,000).

Jugendstil and 20th Century Arts and Crafts
Online Auction 18 november 2021 3 pm
Viewing from 13 November 2021
Venue Palais Dorotheum, 1010 Vienna, Dorotheergasse 17
Specialist Dr. Magda Pfabigan, M.A., Tel. +43-1-515 60-383, magda.pfabigan@dorotheum.at