SOTHEBY'S 4TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION AND PRIVATE SALE OF MONUMENTAL SCULPTURE

Written by Walter Cover Saturday, 08 January 2011 22:24

New York, NY and Orlando, FL – January 2007 marks the beginning of Sotheby’s fourth-annual exhibition and private sale of monumental works of art to be held at the exclusive Isleworth Country Club in Windermere, Florida.  Set to be the largest and most diversified yet, this offering includes over forty sculptural masterpieces by some of the 20^th century’s most renowned artists. Large-scale works by such modern and contemporary masters as Auguste Rodin, Aristide Maillol, Fernand Léger, Fernando Botero, Niki de Saint Phalle, Louise Bourgeois and others will highlight the private sale, and many of these works will be displayed on the lush grounds of Isleworth through mid-April 2007.

Sacco and Vanzetti, Richard Serra’s monumental Cor-ten steel structure from 1986, consists of three rectangular steel plates that are arranged to create an enclosed space (pictured left).  From the exterior, the plates appear unstable and their positioning in relation to one another is not fully apparent.  It is only upon entering the enclosed space that the architecture and the psychological implications of the piece can be fully appreciated.  Named after the infamous pair of socialists who were falsely accused of murder and tried, convicted and put to death, Sacco and Vanzetti is an overpowering sculpture that elicits feelings of danger and entrapment.  When seen from within, the structure appears as if it will topple over, creating a sense of anxiety, confusion and insecurity from which there appears to be little room for escape.

Among the other highlights are Emile Bourdelle’s masterpiece Héraklès (Archer) and Louise Bourgeois’ Cumul III. Created in 1909, Héraklès (Archer) depicts an idealized version the heroic warrior of Greek mythology.  The mighty archer draws back his arm, extends his bow and braces himself against a bolder before he takes his shot.  Considering what is about to happen, one can anticipate the tremendous force about to be propelled into the atmosphere.  What is so remarkable about this bronze is that Bourdelle leaves much of the action to our imagination.  While he does not show the arrow itself, Bourdelle does invest the sculpture with visual cues that tune our attention to the sheer drama of the moment (pictured above).

 Louise Bourgeois’ Cumul III is a sensuous organic form that is related to a work of the same title at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.  Many of Bourgeois’ works allude to parts of the human body or the reproductive system; the present example is a continuation of the artist’s fascination with fertility.  She carves the Avenza marble into an accumulation of smooth, bulbous forms that bubble up and break through a swath of silky stone.  The bottom of the carving is a roughly-hewn base that is placed directly on the grass on site in Isleworth. Situated there in the greenery, the luminous Cumul III is at one with nature and a perfect complement to its surrounding environment (pictured right).

Arch Form, by Henry Moore, is a unique work in marble that was originally in the collection of the artist’s daughter Mary. This piece, executed in 1970, exemplifies Moore’s streamlined aesthetic that defined the Modernist movement of the 20^th century.  Moore found his inspiration for his sculptures in nature, and everything about Arch Form --- the striations of the marble, the swells and curves of the form – are a celebration of the organic (pictured below).

One of the more contemporary works included in the offering is Bernar Venet’s Arcs in Disorder: 3 Arcs x 5.  Rising above the landscape, this 2005 work by the renowned French conceptualist artist explores the visual poetics of math with these arcs, grouping them together according to their varying degrees of circular completeness (pictured below).  Additional works by Aristide Maillol, George Segal and Fernando Botero will also be included.

About Isleworth Country Club

Nestled amongst the Butler Chain of Lakes, this 600-acre community has over seven miles of shoreline and is highlighted by a championship golf course.  Conceived by Arnold Palmer, designed by Ed Seay and recently enhanced by Steve Smyers, the course was built on rolling terrain and features greens that are generous, undulating and fast.  A significant, permanent collection of sculpture is displayed throughout the community and is enhanced each year by the return of Sotheby's Monumental exhibition continually showcasing some of the most important masterpieces to ever be assembled in one setting.

Isleworth has established itself as one of the world's most prestigious and secure luxury residential communities, and is the principal residence for many of the world's top professional athletes and entertainers.

About Tavistock Group
Tavistock Group is a global private investment company that was founded 30 years ago by investor Joe Lewis. The company has grown to encompass a broad portfolio around the world including such asset classes as private luxury residential properties, master planned real estate development, life sciences, sports teams (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club) and sporting events (The Tavistock Cup), manufacturing (Bristol Motor Cars) and distribution (Puma, Gottex, Vans), oil and gas, financial services, and restaurants (California Café, Napa Valley Grille).

Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s is a global company that engages in art auction, private sales and art-related financing activities.  The Company operates in 35 countries, with principal salesrooms located in New York and London.  The Company also regularly conducts auctions in 13 other salesrooms around the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Singapore.  Sotheby’s is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BID.  Visit : www.sothebys.com/