Portraiture in art has been recorded as far back as ancient Egyptian. In history, before the existence of photography, portraits were used to record the appearance of a person. Portraits are also used to symbolise various traits such as power, wealth and virtue of the person depicted. From self portraits to portraits of famed royals and celebrities to those of friends, family and lovers, this art form has varied through time. Both modern and contemporary artists throughout the globe have also experimented with portraiture, using their individual styles to depict people of note.  Presented below are notable portraits from influential international artists showcased in our upcoming ‘International Iconic : Masterpieces And Editions’ auction.

Madame Ricardo Canals (Ed: 23/60) by Pablo Picasso

The presented lot belongs to a limited-edition of offset lithographs, created after Picasso's paintings in 'Barcelona Suite' to celebrate his 85th birth anniversary in 1966. One of these was a portrait of model Madam Ricardo Canals. Previously known as Benedetta Bianco, she renamed herself post marrying Picasso's friend and Catalan impressionist painter Ricardo Canals. Painted in 1905, during a period of transition between Picasso's Blue and Rose Periods, this work is a beautiful expression of Picasso's admiration and ardour for Mrs Canals. With a classical treatment of her face and skin and an impressionist of her flowing garment, this stunning portrait in warm colours depicts her with a black mantilla adorned with a mauve flower.

Tête De Femme by Bernard Buffet

The presented work was executed in 1958 using coloured crayon on paper laid down on card. The work is titled ‘Tête De Femme’, translating to ‘Head Of A Woman’, and is a perfect example of Buffet’s portraiture. His dark compositions, emerging from his inner melancholy, were executed with a lack of depth which heightened the impact of the imagery. This bestowed a brooding sense of misery that was also evidenced in his still-life works.

Portrait of Joseph Beuys by Andy Warhol

Central to Andy Warhol's works, portraits became a means for him to immortalise several famous icons in his unique and quirky style. Among them are those capturing the influential German conceptual artist Joseph Beuys. These portraits, such as the presented lot, were derived from a single Polaroid photo that Warhol took when he met Beuys for the first time in 1979 in Du¨sseldorf, Germany. The above lot is a silkscreen ink on synthetic fabric work executed in 1980.

Couple by Fernando Botero

‘Couple’ is a fine example of Botero’s signature style that exaggerates the subject to look voluptuous. Executed in 2009, using pencil and watercolour on paper, this work is indicative of how influential European art was on the artist. His stay in Europe in 1953 fully confirmed his fascination for an unconventional approach to proportion. Witnessing works by old masters of the Renaissance, like Michelangelo, Raphael, Giotto, Masaccio and Piero della Francesca, gave him an understanding of the importance of the voluptuousness of the form.

Titled ‘Masterpieces and Editions,’ AstaGuru’s upcoming auction is set to unveil a medley of
works by global masters from varied periods of modern art. This finely curated selection will traverse the rich tapestry of artistic evolution, from the early 20th-century movements to the groundbreaking artistic expressions in the contemporary era with creations by artists, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Bernard Buffet, Marc Chagall, René Magritte, and Joan Miró. The finely curated selection also showcases creations by Surrealist master Salvador Dalí as well as works in three different mediums by famous pop art icon Andy Warhol. Also on offer is a range of signature style creations by globally renowned contemporary artists, including Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Fernando Botero, Anthony James, and KAWS. The auction is scheduled to be held on July 20-21, 2023.

About AstaGuru
AstaGuru was conceptualised in the year 2008 with the sole purpose of creating a safe and secure platform to conduct online auctions for Indian, Contemporary & Modern Art. The word AstaGuru is a thoughtful conjugation of ‘Asta’, of Italian origin, which translates to auction and ‘Guru’, Sanskrit connotation for ‘master’ that indicates our distinguished finesse at being the leaders of auctioneering art and artefacts in India as well as globally. With the world melting into one harmonious digital cosmos, AstaGuru has strived to successfully bridge the gap between prospective buyers and consignors by transcending the limitations of live auctions. AstaGuru imparts effortless transparency to the process of acquiring and selling art and rare collectables. Our diverse portfolio includes categories such as Jewellery & Fine Silver, Timepieces, Textiles, Celebrity Memorabilia, Rare Books, Numismatic, Philately and Vintage Cars. AstaGuru’s mobile app enables our esteemed bidders to follow and participate in our auctions seamlessly, and in real-time.

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