Bernd and Hilla Becher - 20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale New York Tuesday, November 10, 2015 | Phillips

20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale

New York Auction 10 November 2015 11am

  • Provenance

    Private Collection

  • Artist Biography

    Bernd and Hilla Becher

    German • Bernd 1931-2007 - Hilla 1934-2015

    Husband and wife Bernd and Hilla Becher began photographing buildings and relics of the Industrial Revolution, such as coal mines and cooling towers, in 1959. Like objective scientists removing a specimen from the field, the Bechers framed their subject in a manner that isolated it from its environment. Often, these stark, beautifully detailed prints were then displayed in grid-like structures, forming stunning 'Typologies'.

    By the time Bernd Becher became a professor at the Düsseldorf Art Academy in 1976 (policy would not allow Hilla to be a simultaneous appointment), the Bechers' photographs, with their seemingly neutral point of view and serial display, were already being applauded by the international art world as important works of Minimal and Conceptual Art.

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211

Bernd and Hilla Becher

Four works: (i) Ailly-sur-somme, F; (ii) Oeuilly-Reims, F; (iii) Bertreville, Deppe, F; (iv) Coolus-Châlons-en-Champagne, F

2000-2006
silver gelatin print
sheet 20 x 24 1/2 in. (50.8 x 62.2 cm)
framed 30 x 36 in. (76.2 x 91.4 cm)
(i) Signed with initials, dated, numbered and inscribed, "B+H Becher Grain Elevator, Ally-Sur-Somme/Amiens, F., Photo 2000, E.D. 3/5 860." Further signed with initials, dated, titled, numbered and inscribed "Grain Elevator Ailly-sur-somme/Amiens, F. Photo 2000 E.D. 3/5 BHB 860" on the reverse of the mat and signed with initials, dated, and inscribed "Grain Elevator Ailly-sur-somme/Amiens, F., Photo 2000 E.D. BHB 860" on the interior of the mat.
This work is number 3 from an edition of 5.
(ii) Signed with initials, dated, numbered and inscribed, "B+H Becher Grain Elevator Oeuilly/Reims, F., Photo 2006 E.P. 3/5 BHB 861" on the reverse. Further signed with initials, dated, titled, numbered and inscribed, "Grain Elevator Oeuilly/Reims, F. Photo 2006 E.D. 3/5 BHB 861" and signed with initials, dated and inscribed, "Grain Elevator Oeuilly/Reims, F., Photo 2006 E.D. BHB 861" on the interior of the mat.
This work is number 3 from an edition of 5.
(iii) Signed with initials, dated, numbered and inscribed, "B+H Becher Grain Elevator Bertreville/Dieppe, F., Photo 2006 Ed. 3/5 BHB 862" on the reverse. Further Signed with initials, dated, titled, numbered and inscribed "Grain Elevator Bertreville/Dieppe, F., Photo 2006 ED. 3/5 BHB 862" on the reverse of the mat and signed with initials, dated, and inscribed "Grain Elevator Bertreville/Dieppe, F., Photo 200 E.D. BHB 862" on the interior of the mat.
This work is number 3 from an edition of 5.
(iv) Signed with initials, dated, numbered and inscribed, "B+H Becher Coolus-Châlons-en-Champagne, F., Photo 2006, E.D. 3/5 863." Further signed with initials, dated, titled, numbered and inscribed "Grain Elevator Coolus-Châlons-en-Champagne, F. Photo 2006 ED. 3/5 BHB 863" on the reverse of the mat and signed with initials, dated, and inscribed "Grain Elevator Coolus-Châlons-en-Champagne, F., Photo 2006 E.D. BHB 863" on the interior of the mat.
This work is number 3 from an edition of 5.

Estimate
$40,000 - 60,000 

Sold for $52,500

Contact Specialist
John McCord
Head Day Sale
New York
+1 212 940 1261

20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale

New York Auction 10 November 2015 11am