Christie's November 5 Evening Sale of Impressionist and Modern Art in New York is set to be highlighted by a $30m-50m masterpiece from Alberto Giacometti.
 The portrait is one of Giacometti's most accomplished, returning to his signature subject of his brother, a fellow artist and designer |
The work, entitled Diego en chemise ecossaise (Diego in plaid shirt), is described as "one of the most compelling renderings Alberto ever produced of his brother Diego", who was among the artist's most frequently visited subjects.
According to Christie's, the piece showcases the graphic drama and economy of representation that would become hallmarks of Giacometti's painting.
"Although Diego was Alberto Giacometti's most frequent sitter - serving almost as an alter ego for the artist - never before did he depict him with quite the same energy or fervour as he did in this work," explained Andreas Rumble, acting head of the sale.
"The interplay of multiple dimensions and colour renders his subject as an object in space, an 'everyman' without unique qualities, an emblem of humanity."
The sale will mark the first time the work has appeared at auction, having been housed in a private collection for over two decades.
It is one of two major Giacometti sales scheduled for November, with the artist's Grande tet de Diego, a sculptural representation of his brother, expected to see $35m-50m at Sotheby's on November 6.
More consignments to Christie's Impressionist and Modern Art sale include Henry Moore's monumental sculpture Reclining Figure, estimated at $6m-8m, and the collection of legendary Picasso dealer Jan Krugier at $170m.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has some superb collectibles from the impressionist masters, including a handwritten letter from Renoir.
