Prominent works by Italian artist Mario Schifano, including “View Beyond the Hudson River (To Anita Pallenberg) Water Lilies” from 1964 and “Untitled” from 1963, are set to headline the Italian segment of Christie’s “20th/21st Century: Paris Evening Sale.” This significant auction will take place in Paris on April 15th. Before the sale, however, these masterpieces will embark on an exclusive Italian tour, offering art enthusiasts and collectors a unique opportunity to view them in person.
The tour itinerary includes: March 18th and 19th in Turin; March 24th and 25th at Palazzo Clerici in Milan; and March 30th and 31st at Hotel de Russie in Rome.
“Untitled,” carrying an estimated value of €120,000–180,000, has been off the market for nearly two decades. It was previously part of the private collection of Maurizio Calvesi, a celebrated Italian art critic who significantly supported and interpreted contemporary artists, including Schifano. This piece was also recently showcased at the “Mario Schifano: The Rise of the ’60s” exhibition at Magazzino Italian Art, Robert Olnick Pavilion, in New York, from September 2023 to January 2024.
“View Beyond the Hudson River (To Anita Pallenberg) Water Lilies,” with an estimate ranging from €200,000 to €300,000, dates back to a pivotal period in Schifano’s American years (1963-1964). During his time in New York, the artist developed a distinct visual language, evolving beyond direct representation to transform images into a form of filtered memory. The painting bears a dedication to Anita Pallenberg, a central figure in Schifano’s life and a prominent personality in the 1960s cultural scene. Their relationship coincided with intense artistic productivity but also growing emotional turmoil; Pallenberg’s involvement with the Rolling Stones marked an irreparable break for Schifano. In this context, “View Beyond the Hudson River” can be interpreted as an intimate meditation on separation, with the landscape dissolving into a metaphor for definitive loss.
In addition to Schifano’s works, an important piece by Scarpitta titled “South Turn” from 1962 will also be featured in the auction. This large-scale work was first exhibited at the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York in the same year and is estimated at €400,000-600,000. Christie’s continued dedication to promoting Italian art internationally is underscored by this tour and the upcoming Parisian sale, a strategy encapsulated in their long-running “Thinking Italian” format.
