Auction Artslimit Online 7
The selective online auction of artworks organized by the Artslimit auction portal took place from March 4 to 24. A balanced collection of works from the 19th and 20th centuries, with overlaps into contemporary production as well as other exclusive collectors’ items, was exhibited throughout the entire period at Galerie KODL. Bidding and further information about the lots were available at www.artslimit.com.
The nineteenth century was primarily represented by students of the so-called Haushofer School of landscape painting – Antonín Waldhauser, Jan Václav Kautský, and Ernst Gustav Doerell.
An integral part of the auction was also formed by works of the so-called Czech Parisian, Alfons Mucha. Dating from 1892 was one of the artist’s illustrations for X. Marmier’s book of fairy tales Les Contes des Grand-Mères, specifically for the story Petr, the Rich Shopkeeper. A selection of these illustrations was presented at the Paris Salon in the Palais des Champs-Élysées, where Mucha exhibited for the first time in 1892 and received an honorable mention for his drawings. Another of Mucha’s works included in the auction was the large-scale drawing Girl with a Dove, as well as the lithograph The Beauty of the Day from the renowned cycle Times of Day.
Czech modernism was represented by significant names from both art historical and collecting perspectives – Václav Špála, Emil Filla, Josef Šíma, Jan Zrzavý, Karel Černý, and Antonín Procházka. Works from the second half of the 20th century featured prominent figures such as Vlastimil Beneš, Alena Kučerová, Ota Janeček, Adriena Šimotová, Josef Jíra, Josef Liesler, Jitka and Květa Válovy, and Jiří Načeradský. The sculptural section included works by Karel Dvořák, Karel Kronych, and Eva Kmentová, and traditionally also featured a group of sculptures by Olbram Zoubek.
The contemporary art scene was equally well represented within this rich and collector-oriented selection. From the studio of Theodor Pištěk, one of the most sought-after and respected living Czech artists, the auction included a costume design created for the film Hry lásky šálivé.
A remarkable highlight was also a curated selection of iconic vintage handbags from renowned fashion houses Hermès (Birkin 35, Kelly Retourné 35), Chanel, and Dior, alongside exclusive Rolex watches. Also noteworthy within the Czech auction context was a rare set of luxury MOOD cutlery by Christofle, designed in 2018 by Karl Lagerfeld.
As part of a benefit auction in support of the organization DEBRA ČR, which helps improve the lives of people with epidermolysis bullosa (so-called “butterfly wing disease”), a design vase by one of the most distinctive contemporary Czech glass artists, František Jungvirt, was offered. Another charitable lot was an oil on canvas by artist Jan Choura, from whose hammer price the artist donated 100% to support the non-profit organization Centrum Paraple.
The exhibition took place throughout the duration of the online auction at Galerie KODL.
Guided tours for the public took place on Thursday, March 7 and 14, always from 4 PM.
If you wish to see the results of this auction, simply register with Artslimit.com here
Václav Špála (1885–1946) Still Life with Apples
Josef Lada (1887–1957) Unexpected Catch
Hermès Birkin 35
