£880k de Chirico painting to hit the auction block

Bonhams has announced an exciting line-up of works for its Impressionist and Modern Art sale to be held at New Bond Street, London on Thursday, December 3.

Fighting for position as the sale's most valuable lot is 'Gladiatori nell'arena' by Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978). An oil on canvas dated 1927, the painting is from Leonce Rosenberg's hugely important collection of the artist's Gladiator paintings which he housed in his Parisian apartment.

Unsurprisingly, for such a significant piece, 'Gladiatori nell'arena' has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £600,000-800,000.

A second piece by de Chirico is another sale highlight. This hugely rare sculpture, 'Manichini coloniali', was cast in 1969, during the artist's lifetime and is expected to achieve £80,000-120,000.

It will be joined by two magnificent modernist works by Alberto Burri (1915-1995): the two cellotex paintings (dated 1990 and 1991) are priced at £180,000-200,000 and £140,000-180,000, respectively.

Gladiatori nell'arena by Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978), priced �600,000-800,000
Gladiatori nell'arena by Giorgio de Chirico, estimated at £600,000-800,000


Collectors of Italian art will also be drawn to Gino Severini's (1833-1966) wool tapestry. The colourful 'Il Ciclista' is one of only three authorised by the artist's daughter, Gina, following Severini's death. The tapestry was made between 1977 and 1978, and has been priced at a hugely tempting £15,000-20,000.

The catalogue includes a series of striking sculptures by Salvador Dali (1904-1989), of which his bronze, 'Winged Triton' (c1972) is sure to catch the eye of collectors of modern art. At nearly two metres high, the sculpture is one of only twelve produced and as such has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £100,000-150,000.

The Impressionist market is similarly well-represented, with works by "up and coming" talent alongside more recognisable names. A series of paintings by Jean Franck Baudoin (1870-1961) are the ideal introduction to Impressionist ownership - his dreamy oil landscapes are estimated between £5,000-15,000.

Alongside Baudoin's work is a late entry to the sale - a charming oil landscape by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919). A stunningly evocative, yet simple, composition, the painting is estimated between £80,000-100,000.

"This sale contains a wide variety of Impressionist and Modern art, including sculptures, paintings, watercolours and even a tapestry," said Edward Plackett, Head of Bonhams Impressionist and Modern Art Department.

"There is something for every type of collector from a Renoir oil sketch to a de Chirico painted at the height of the artist's powers.

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