Hundreds of artworks greats reminiscent of Andy Warhol or Pablo Picasso from Bayer AG’s assortment are auctioned. Their complete worth is estimated at greater than 4.5 million euros.
“My heart is bleeding with every picture,” says Thomas Helfrich and appears on the works and sculptures thoughtfully. Bayer AG has headed the cultural division for ten years. Now the corporate separates from a big a part of the gathering: a whole lot of works from the corporate’s personal artwork assortment come beneath the hammer. “I’m a little sad, but I’m happy for the collectors who will have a very nice work of art at home in the future.”
The workforce round Helfrich determined which works Bayer will probably be left. “We looked, which works of art have a representative character and what works of art inspire and trigger innovations.” The latter ought to stick with Bayer. The begin: a prestigious public sale on the Cologne public sale home van Ham. The estimated quantity: greater than 4.5 million euros.
New working worlds, lacking workplace partitions
It is sort of a journey via artwork historical past: Max Beckmann’s luminous nonetheless life “orchids” or Andy Warhol’s iconic portrait of Nastassja Kinski. From the start, the artwork assortment was a part of the plan to make the placement engaging for specialists. Bayer, as soon as a pioneer within the institution of company collections, separates from elements of his inheritance.
“Of course we always need money,” says Helfrich, barely ironic. “But we don’t solve the problems of the group with that.” Modern working worlds have modified the position of artwork within the workplace. “After the pandemic, many open -plan offices have remained very empty. People continue to make home office frequently. There are simply a few walls for art in the open offices,” he explains.
Icons beneath the hammer
There are additionally works by artists who’ve funded Bayer lately, in addition to the company historical past assortment. Today Bayer nonetheless collects, however it’s totally different: “We want to specifically promote young artists,” says Helfrich. The public sale creates monetary scope for this. “With the proceeds, we promote art and culture directly – for example through our large festival, which takes place annually.”
Big sums, nice expertise
Markus Eisenbeis, head of the public sale home Van Ham, is aware of the stress that such an public sale brings with it: “It is about large sums – this is automatically electrifying. It is always an experience.” In the night, the very elaborately chosen works are auctioned. “But of course we also have the online area. Everyone can also find it in a framework of 500 to 5000 euros. It is crucial that every work gets the right stage,” says Eisenbeis.
The works had been seen and assessed individually, checked for situation and authenticity. “We clarify whether the work was in exhibitions. Was the work at prominent people at home? Only then can we talk about values.” He is especially happy with the 2 Warhol works. “Having two large paintings of an Andy Warhol in a German auction is exceptional. They were created by him especially for Bayer.”
Art historical past when Collection coverage
Other works: Ernst Wilhelm Nay’s sturdy strongness “Red in the center” (estimated: 400,000 to 600,000 euros), Henry Moores organic-abstract bronze “Three Part Object” (150,000 to 250,000 euros) and likewise Warhol’s Kinski portrait (300,000 to 500,000 euros). The assortment itself is a mirror of artwork historical past after 1900. Works by artists reminiscent of Max Beckmann, Joan Miró or Kippenberger present how far Bayer as soon as collected to convey rooms to life.
Bayer’s choice sees a sign: “We are found and contacted by people from a wide variety of continents. You can make a bargain or sometimes lean something beyond your own limit. It is always an adventure,” says Eisenbeis. It at all times stays open how the journey goes out on an artwork public sale.
https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/kunstsammlung-bayer-auktion-100.html