The four Matisse bronze sculptures of a woman’s back are too valuable to justify keeping by the Burnett Foundation in Fort Worth so the philanthropic institution is putting them up for auction next month. Sotheby’s tried to sell them privately as one group for $200m, but couldn’t get it so they will be sold individually, starting with “Back I” on Nov.2. High estimate is in the $30m range.
Matisse worked on the sculptures for 23 years and, fascinatingly, they evolved from a classical depiction in Back I, to stripped down modern in Back IV. Twelve casts were made. Earlier, Christie’s sold a bronze of Back IV for nearly $49m.
Read more at The New York Times
