The market is preparing for an unmissable event for a modern and contemporary art auction in Milan on July 2, 2026. The important summer catalog of Wannenes presents an extraordinary selection of 158 lots, bringing masterpieces by Italian and international masters of the twentieth century into the spotlight.
What are the main lots in the catalog?
The sacred relief by Lucio Fontana
In particular, among the standout lots is the sculpture by Lucio Fontana. The work Rilievo per la facciata della chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta a Celle Ligure (lot 77) is a terracotta from 1958 estimated at €80,000-€120,000. It is one of the two preparatory models for the Ligurian building, created by the artist in Albissola Marina.
Moreover, the relief is part of the master’s sacred production. The depiction of the Madonna Assunta with the Archangel Michael against the dragon is inspired by the Apocalypse. The work dialogues with famous works such as the Via Crucis of 1947 or the 1955 sketch for the Milan Cathedral. For this reason, it is a candidate to be the star of this modern and contemporary art auction.
The aesthetics of the fragment by Igor Mitoraj
On the other hand, the extraordinary Torso di donna con piede (lot 44) by Igor Mitoraj, estimated at €60,000-€80,000, stands out. The 1995 sculpture in Belgian black marble has the master’s authenticity and comes from a private collection. The bust reflects Mitoraj’s classical poetics centered on anatomical fragmentation and the transmission of myth over time.
However, unlike usual torsos, the anomalous insertion of the foot on the chest stands out here. The black marble absorbs light, emphasizing abrasions and surface cuts instead of reflecting it. The work thus highlights the marked contrast between classical smoothness and the interruption of the block.
The conceptual void of Dadamaino
Meanwhile, abstract avant-garde shines with Volume (lot 75) by Dadamaino (Edoarda Maino), a tempera on canvas from 1958 estimated at €40,000-€60,000. This painting belongs to the cycle in which the artist explores spatial void by painting large black ovals on a white background, eliminating any superfluous color or accessory.
Furthermore, the work embodies the image reset typical of the Milanese group Azimut, founded by Piero Manzoni and Enrico Castellani. Due to its dimensions, this canvas represents one of the most significant masterpieces of the artist available on the market. Consequently, it proves to be a valuable purchase for those planning brilliant investments in contemporary art.
Who are the other protagonists of twentieth-century art?
The exuberance of Mario Schifano and Hermann Nitsch
That said, monumental painting welcomes an exceptional Untitled (1995) by Mario Schifano (lot 83), estimated at €80,000-€120,000. The work, from the Piero Guidi collection, is currently being processed at the Mario Schifano Archive. The monumental circular canvas boasts an extraordinary diameter of 250 cm on which a dynamic winged motif painted with energetic blue and green brushstrokes stands out.
Similarly, the exhibition includes an imposing Untitled by Hermann Nitsch, a mixed technique on jute estimated at €50,000-€70,000. Equipped with the artist’s authenticity, the work comes from the famous performative cycle of the Orgien Mysterien Theater.
Which works represent Italian and international painting?
Furthermore, the proposal continues with Alighiero Boetti. We find the felt on paper D.U.E. Alighiero a Corfù nel settanta, Salvo lo ha disegnato (lot 7, estimate €4,000-€6,000). This 1975 work pairs with the collage Due Modi (lot 8, estimate €6,000-€8,000), both exhibited at the Galerie Area in Munich in 1975.
Similarly, Italian painting offers two oils from the 1930s by Renato Guttuso published by Crispolti. These are Natura morta con drappo verde (lot 14, estimate €5,000-€7,000) and Bagnanti (La spiaggia) (lot 15, estimate €7,000-€9,000). These artifacts document the pictorial strength of the Sicilian master’s beginnings.
Additionally, the catalog is completed by a polychrome terracotta by Leoncillo Leonardi (lot 11, estimate €1,500-€2,500) from the prestigious Roman collection of Giulio Carlo Argan, a carved wood from 1961 by Tomonori Toyofuku (lot 23, estimate €6,000-€8,000), and a painting by the Brazilian modernist of Chinese origin Chen Kong Fang (lot 76, estimate €8,000-€10,000).
Finally, the international showcase includes the bronze on marble Hommage à Newton (1980) by Salvador Dalí (lot 98, estimate €3,000-€5,000), accompanied by the official authenticity of the famous foundation dedicated to the artist. Overall, these prestigious twentieth-century artworks express the high quality of a solid catalog of great interest to enthusiasts and investors worldwide.
| Artist | Lot | Work | Estimate (€) |
| Lucio Fontana | 77 | Rilievo per la facciata… (1958) | €80,000 – €120,000 |
| Mario Schifano | 83 | Untitled (1995, diameter 250 cm) | €80,000 – €120,000 |
| Igor Mitoraj | 44 | Torso di donna con piede (1995) | €60,000 – €80,000 |
| Hermann Nitsch | – | Untitled (1995) | €50,000 – €70,000 |
| Dadamaino | 75 | Volume (1958) | €40,000 – €60,000 |
Overall, collectors will be able to participate in this anticipated modern and contemporary art auction on the upcoming July 2, 2026. The event of the renowned house Wannenes will be held in Milan, and the details are already available on the official online catalog.
Image: LUCIO FONTANA Rilievo per la facciata della Chiesa parrocchiale dell’Assunta ai piani di Celle Ligure (1958) terracotta, cm. 41×61 estimate: 80,000 – 120,000 Courtesy of Wannenes
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.
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