Two contemporary art auctions between Milan and Vercelli, from the Under 3k range to the visionary atmosphere of the Asta Matta, offer a multifaceted overview of contemporary collecting.
How does the modern and contemporary art auction Under 3k by Kruso Art in Milan present itself?
On March 6 at 3:00 PM, in the halls of Palazzo Largo Augusto in Milan, Kruso Art offers the U-3 Under 3k euro & Modern and Contemporary Art sale, designed to combine accessibility and museum-quality.
The catalog builds a path made of dialogues and contrasts. The pictorial material of Enzo Esposito (lots 13–15, estimates between 100 and 800 euros) meets the spatialist lyricism of Dadamaino (lot 27).
Furthermore, the abstraction of Wassily Kandinsky (lot 29, estimate 2,500–3,500 euros) confronts the essential symbolism of Le Corbusier (lots 30, 31, and 32, all estimated 500–800 euros), up to the energetic gesturality of Pierre Alechinsky (lot 34, estimate 4,000–6,000 euros).
The pop component is particularly evident. Among the protagonists are Roy Lichtenstein (lot 118, estimate 10,000–15,000 euros) with the print “Bicentennial print“, Arman (lot 110, estimate 15,000–20,000 euros) and the “Flowers (Black and white)” by Andy Warhol (lot 117, estimate 3,500–5,000 euros).
However, the offer is not limited to the reinterpretation of Pop Art. Alongside these names stand out the gestural return of Mario Schifano (lot 96, estimate 12,000–15,000 euros) and the chromatic vivacity of Sandro Chia (lot 109, estimate 3,000–4,000 euros), composing an invitation to conscious and curious collecting.
What makes “Asta Matta” a visionary event?
From March 7 to 15 in Vercelli, the auction house Meeting Art presents auction 992, aptly named “Asta Matta” for its openly visionary and unconventional tone.
The absolute protagonist is Roberto Sebastian Matta, a reference figure of Surrealism and American Abstract Expressionism. The catalog features five rare large-format pastels, all accompanied by Archive authenticity (lots 124, 172, 204, 322, 355; estimates 5,000–12,000 euros).
A path of strong intensity develops around these works. A Spatial Environment by Lucio Fontana (lot 59, estimate 18,000–20,000 euros) introduces, by contrast, a different idea of space compared to Matta’s mental vision.
Moreover, among the most significant lots are works by Enrico Baj (see lot 239, estimate 12,000–14,000 euros) and an important work by Christo and Jeanne-Claude (lot 360, estimate 70,000–80,000 euros), which expands the discourse to the environmental and installation dimension.
The path reaches one of its peaks with a work by Giorgio De Chirico (lot 180, estimate 125,000–140,000 euros) and with a work by Pino Pascali (lot 170, estimate 6,000–7,000 euros), testifying to a narrative that intertwines historicized masters and experimentation.
What connections exist between the two auctions for contemporary art collecting?
Overall, the proposal emerging between Milan and Vercelli highlights two complementary souls of contemporary collecting: on one hand, the inclusive push of the Under 3k range, on the other, the visionary character of the Asta Matta.
That said, both sales are united by a marked attention to the quality of the works and the construction of critical paths. For further comparisons on the modern and contemporary art market, it is possible to consult the analyses of Artprice, the reports of TEFAF, and the research published by Art Basel.
These two auctions, albeit with different languages and price ranges, show how the market can still offer opportunities to both new buyers and more experienced collectors in search of rarities and visions outside the box.
IMAGE: ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 – 1997) Bicentennial print, courtesy Kruso Art
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
