|
Works by Marcel Broodthaers from The Herbig Collection to Debut in Phillips’ Frieze Week Auctions in London
Important Works by Marcel Broodthaers from the Esteemed Collection of Dr. Jost and Barbara Herbig to be Auctioned Throughout the Year, Beginning with Iconic Pieces to be Included in the London Modern & Contemporary Art Auctions in October
LONDON – 13 SEPTEMBER 2024 – Phillips is delighted to present a significant and diverse selection of works by Marcel Broodthaers from the esteemed Herbig Collection, starting with three pieces making their auction debut in the London Modern & Contemporary Art auctions. These auctions mark the beginning of a series of sales unveiling Broodthaers' works from the Herbig Collection, offering a unique glimpse into the legacy of one of the 20th century’s most innovative artists. The Herbig Collection was curated by the renowned scientist Dr. Jost Herbig and his wife, jewellery designer Barbara Herbig, in close collaboration with Broodthaers himself, who personally selected each work. In addition to the three works debuting this October, future Phillips auctions will feature further pieces by Broodthaers from the Herbig Collection, including installations, plaques, prints, editions, drawings, collages, and films. The three October highlights will be on view at Phillips’ Antwerp Galleries from 16 to 20 September and at Phillips’ London Galleries from 3 October until the auctions on 10 and 11 October.
Tobias Sirtl, Phillips’ Specialist, Modern & Contemporary Art, said, "For the past six decades, the Herbig Collection has been driven by a mission to gather works by the pioneers and innovators of their time, with a particular focus on Minimal, Conceptual, and Avant-Garde art from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Dr. Jost and Barbara Herbig devoted themselves to this collection with great care and pride, especially in acquiring pieces by their close friend Marcel Broodthaers, who collaborated with them in building this remarkable collection. At Phillips, we are honoured to present this exceptional collection, comprising rare, high-quality examples of Broodthaers' groundbreaking works with impeccable provenance and condition, first this October and in the coming months. We are thrilled to showcase the initial selection to collectors and enthusiasts through exhibitions in Antwerp and London before the auctions in October.”
Barbara Herbig, said, "Broodthaers, with his keen understanding of translation and his perceptive, subtly ironic warmth, was a fascinating presence. We were fortunate to be frequently visited by him and his family, Maria Broodthaers, an exceptional photographer, and their daughter, Marie-Puck. My husband, Jost Herbig, would give a lecture on science, which would be followed by a lecture from Broodthaers. Their exchange of ideas was invigorating. Broodthaers also shared his latest films, and we all found ourselves transformed by the experience. The children played together, and we took leisurely walks, with Maria capturing moments like the 'railway robbery' through her lens. We cooked, ate, and enjoyed each other's company, relishing in the joy of these shared times. It was a wonderfully memorable experience, full of warmth and creativity—until next time.”
Marcel Broodthaers (Belgian, 1924–1976) began his career as a writer and poet before transitioning to the visual arts at the age of 40. Over the next 12 years, he developed a distinctive visual language that encompassed surrealism and conceptualism. Broodthaers consistently explored the materiality of language, working across various mediums, including poetry, sculpture, painting, printmaking, and film. His work delved into a wide range of literary, social, and historical themes, creating an oeuvre rich with whimsical humour, semiotic puzzles, and strategies of repetition and self-deprecation. The artist’s work maintained a poetic sensibility and wit within a conceptual framework, and his legacy continues to resonate in contemporary art.
Dr. Jost and Barbara Herbig began their art-collecting journey in the mid-1960s, focusing on contemporary American and European artists. Their collection became renowned for museum-quality works by some of the most sought-after artists of the period, from Gerhard Richter to Bruce Nauman. In 1970, they met and befriended Marcel Broodthaers in Düsseldorf, where the artist was living at the time.
From the day they met until Marcel Broodthaers' untimely death in 1976, the Herbigs acquired several of his works. In 1998, four years after Dr. Jost Herbig’s passing, the majority of the Herbig Collection was sold in a landmark auction. The family, however, chose to retain works by their close friend Broodthaers. Since the 1970s, these pieces have been kept in the Herbig family's private home, with many on long-term loan to MACBA Barcelona and exhibited internationally. These works are now making their auction debut at Phillips this October and in upcoming Phillips auctions. Notable pieces to be offered over the coming year include Éloge du sujet (1974), Le corbeau et le renard (1967), and films such as La pluie (1969) and Rendez-vous mit Jacques Offenbach (1972).
London Modern & Contemporary Art Auction Highlights from Marcel Broodthaers: The Herbig Collection Antwerp Preview: 16 – 20 September 2024 Location: Phillips, Graaf van Egmontstraat 37, Antwerp 2000 Auctions: 10 & 11 October 2024 Auction viewing: 3 – 11 October 2024 Location: Phillips, 30 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EX
Further Highlights from Marcel Broodthaers: The Herbig Collection Antwerp Preview: 19 September – 18 October 2024 (by appointment) Location: Phillips, Graaf van Egmontstraat 37, Antwerp 2000
|
