Time to check your bank account: Sotheby’s in London is hosting its second auction of erotic art on February 15th. The Erotic: Passion and Desire auction follows last year’s debut collection of sexual art, photography and sculpture at the esteemed auction house, which made over £5 million..
The most expensive piece is Francis Picabia’s Les baigneuses, femmes nues bord de me, estimated to sell for between £400,000 and £600,000. Homme et femme nus by Picasso is not much cheaper, at £250,000 – £350,000. Less costly items among the 89 lots include the first edition of Playboy, for £3000 – £5000, and a US one-sheet poster for Emmanuelle, which is estimated at £800. At those prices, we’re thinking that we should sell some of our posters off at next year’s event.
Photography includes Richard Avedon’s famous shot of a nude Nastassja Kinski with a snake draped over her, and Chris Levine’s She is Light, featuring a topless Kate Moss. Other artists featured include Yves Klein, Gustav Klimt, Jeff Koons, Robert Mapplethorpe, Bob Carlos Clarke and Andy Warhol. The whole event is in collaboration with Coco de Mer.
While some people have questioned whether this event will be a success in a world gripped by #metoo hysteria and a backlash against sexual freedom, we are pretty sure that the collectors and connoisseurs will rise above moral panics.
Should you wish to attend, things kick off at 2.30 on February 15th. Viewing is open now, from 9am – 4.30pm, and 9am – 12pm on the day of the auction.
http://www.sothebys.com/content/sothebys/en/auctions/2018/erotic-sale-l18325.html
