Historic work by Robert Delaunay Leading at Sotheby’s Modern Art Sale in Paris

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This fall’s calendar is packed with interesting contemporary art auctions. Sotheby’s Modern Art sale in Paris on December 4 is replete with major works by leading 20th century masters. A rare, masterly painting by Robert Delaunay, with explosive colours and monumental format, is appearing at auction for the first time and promises to be the highlight of the Paris winter season. In 1930/1, Robert Delaunay (1885-1941) painted a majestic ensemble of three abstract works entitled Rythme – Joie de Vivre.

They marked a turning-point in his career and the apogée of his pictorial style. It is the eponymous third canvas from the series that will be offered at Sotheby’s on December 4, (est. €1,200,000-1,800,000 / $1,540,000-2,300,000). The sale also includes one of Alberto Giacometti’s mythical portrayals of his wife Annette – Bust of Annette (Venice) (est. €600,000-900,000 / $770,000-1,150,000) and magnificent version of Auguste Rodin’s Kiss (est. €300,000-400,000 / $384,000-515,000), along with a series of works by Pablo Picasso – including several drawings from the famous collection of his grand-daughter Marina Picasso, such as: L’Etreinte or Minotaure embrassant une femme (est. €350,000-450,000 / $447,000-575,000); Trois femmes nues(est. €350,000-450,000 / $447,000-575,000); and Femme nue debout ledsbras sur la tête (est. €400,000-600,000 / $515,000-770,000). There will also be sections devoted to Surrealism, Fauvism (with a 1907 work by Albert Marquet) and Cubism, featuring André Lhote and a bold work by Fernand Léger.