Christie’s To Offer Highlights From 12 Private Collections In Dubai Sale

Underscoring the global interest in Arab and Iranian works of art, Christie’s will offer a range of highlights from a dozen private collections and artist’s estates in its Dubai auction, taking place on 23 March at the Jumeirah Emirate Towers Hotel. Initially owned by collectors from the US, UK, France, Lebanon, and Sweden, the pieces include three sought-after Lebanese artworks from the Mokbel Art Collection; two Egyptian pieces from the 1960s from the Stockholm-based Croneberg collection; and a portrait from Hala Midani, from her own private collection, known as the muse of the Syrian modern master Louay Kayyali during the 1960s – (a full listing of the private collections can be found at the end of the release.)

Palestine’s pioneering modern art movement is celebrated in Christie’s Dubai sale next month through three works: Nicola Saig’s Untitled (Deir Saidnaya), (1863-1942, estimate: US$35,000–45,000); a female master Nahil Bishara’s Untitled, (1919-1997, estimate: US$12,000–18,000); and Khalil Halaby’s Untitled, (1889-1964, estimate: US$12,000–18,000) – illustrated from left to right. With vastly different perspectives, these works showcase the changing visual art language in Palestine during the first half of the twentieth century.

Further highlights of Christie’s 14^th sale season in the Middle East, include three iterations of Syrian artist Marwan’s (1934-2016) Kopf or Head paintings (estimate: US$200,000–300,000 – illustrated left). One of the most prized Modern art painters in the Arab world with more than six decades of artistic production, Marwan was an icon for merging Western modes of expression with his Syrian culture, and his works can be found in the collections of the Tate Modern, Musée d’Art Moderne, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Supporting charitable and educational initiatives, Christie’s is selling Lebanese artist Aref El Rayess’ landscape Untitled (from the Desert series), (estimate: US$50,000–70,000), with proceeds going to the documentation and restoration of artworks in the Aref El Rayess Foundation, while Lebanese sculptor Alfred Basbous’ Standing Figure, (estimate: US$20,000–30,000), is being sold to fund research, exhibitions, and grants.

Hala Khayat, Christie’s Director and Head of department, noted the trends brought to life by the upcoming March auction, stating, “This is the first sale season in which a dozen different collectors of Arab art from around the world have entrusted Christie’s with some of their key pieces, demonstrating the enduring global demand of artworks from this region.  From Palestinian pioneer artists and paintings by Egyptian and Syrian masters, to sought-after works by contemporary artists from the Emirates and Saudi Arabia, there is tremendous variety on offer for both established and emerging collectors.”

Works from the twelve different collections being offered at Christie’s upcoming auction on 23 March are the Alfred Basbous Foundation, Lebanon; the private collection of Mr. Jean Campa; the private collection of the late Mr. and Mrs. Croneberg, Sweden; the private collection of Marwan Dib, USA; the private collection of the late Mr. and Mrs. Toufic Jaroudi, Beirut; the private collection of Mrs. Hala Midani; the Mokbel Art Collection, Lebanon; the Aref El Rayess Foundation, Lebanon;  the private collection of Mr. Leon Sioufi, Beirut;  the private collection of Mr. Mohamed Tatanaki, Paris; the Ramsès Younan family; and the private collection of the late Mr. Zygmunt Zajdler, UK.

Public viewing

19-23 March

Auctions

22 March         Important Watches

23 March         Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art

Venue

Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai