Self Portrait of Kippenberger as Silenus

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Martin Kippenberger is the discovery of this year regarding the summit of the art market. In February, I discussed in this group the "Portrait of Paul Schreber", sold 430 K £ including fees at Phillips de Pury.

And now the surprise of the catalog of Sotheby's in New York for May 12: A self-portrait of 2.40 x 2 m, estimated $ 3.5 million.

At auction, no work of Kippenberger has ever attained this price, but no similar work has yet been proposed. In 1988, aged 35, he looks more than 50. He is wearing a loose underwear white pants, which makes the transition between his big belly full of beer and his trembling legs. Leaning forward, with his dark and bearded face, he may be about to vomit.

The artist expresses the disgust of his own body, much more direct than in the portrait of Schreber, a work that was too intellectual. If the pain of living is a characteristic of contemporary art, Martin Kippenberger was a champion.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Masterpiece was announced, masterpiece is confirmed. The result, $ 4.1 million including premium, will grow in a sustainable manner Kippenberger among the featured artists of the major sales of contemporary art.