FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date of Release: April 26, 2017

Palm Beach Moderns May 6 Auction Led by Flock of Lalanne Sheep Estimated at $600K-
$900K

Sharing the spotlight: Large, important Sam Francis painting documented in artists catalogue
raisonne and foundation archive

W. PALM BEACH, FL. There are 495 beautiful reasons why the owners of Palm Beach
Modern Auctions (PBMA) think their May 6 double-session auction could end up being their
most successful ever. Two of the most compelling reasons are: a flock of five highly sought-after
Francois-Xavier Lalanne sculptural sheep, and a large, original 1987 Sam Francis painting.

The Lalanne sheep and Sam Francis painting are unquestionably the stars of the show, but all of
the nearly 500 auction lots were chosen with utmost care, keeping in mind the buying trends
weve observed in recent sales, said auctioneer and co-owner Rico Baca. This auction is going
to inspire and delight modern and contemporary art lovers because it contains so many rare and
wonderful works from respected collections.

Known as Nouveaux Moutons, the Lalanne sheep were created in 1996-97 and cast at the
Landowski Fondeur in France. The life-size family made of epoxy stone and patinated bronze
consists of a ram, ewe and three lambs. Previous owners include the legendary Dorothy Blau
Gallery, Miami; and Wolfgang Roth & Partners Fine Arts; also of Miami. The well-documented
sheep are accompanied by a copy of a 2015 condition report from Modern Art Conservation.
Surely among the most iconic of all late-20th-century sculptural works, Lalannes endearing
Nouveaux Moutons will cross the auction block with a $600,000-$900,000 estimate.

A fitting companion for the sheep is Lalannes bronze Centaure Attele (Petit). Bearing a foundry
mark and numbered 5/8, the 16-inch-high mythical half-man/half-horse comes with provenance
from Christies New York and is estimated at $60,000-$80,000.

Twenty-three years after his passing, California artist Sam Francis continues to make headlines
as his paintings are acquired at auction by astute collectors the world over. An exciting recent
development has been the addition of a major Francis original, a 1987 acrylic-on-canvas painting
titled Quiet Fruitfulness, to the Sam Francis Foundations archival registry. It is one of the
featured highlights of the May 6 sale.

A large work measuring 60.5 by 80.5 inches, the painting has a 1988 Knoedler Gallery (London)
label on verso and comes with a copy of the sales receipt from the gallery as well as a
conservators condition report. Estimate: $500,000-$600,000.

The painting is listed in the Sam Francis Catalogue Raisonne that was published by the
University of California Berkeley Press in 2011. Now it is also registered in the Francis
Foundations archive, which is significant, Baca said. As I understand it, this was a painting
they had been looking for. Were very proud that such an important artwork has been entrusted to
us and that its current ownership is now known to the Foundation.

The auction of fine art, design and luxury goods is brimming with desirable works, including a
Clement Meadmore (1929-2005) maquette ed. 5/6 titled Virginia. The full-size 1970-73 original
is in the permanent collection at the National Gallery of Australia Sculpture Garden. The
maquette carries a $60,000-$80,000 estimate.

A large Horst Wackerbarth (German, b. 1950-) C-print mounted on acrylic is titled Frank Fools
Crow, Oglala Lakota Chief & Medicine Man. Printed in 1990 and numbered 2/3, the
photographic image was previously held in the Wolfgang Roth Collection, Miami. It comes with
an artists COA and is estimated at $60,000-$80,000.

Another photographic highlight is the massive Peter Beard (American, b. 1938-) montage titled
Portraits London (F. Bacon) Paris Nairobi Collected at Hog Ranch 1960/70. Signed and
stamped by the artist, the 76.75in by 55.75in (framed) gelatin silver print/mixed-media work is
expected to make $90,000-$120,000.

The whos who of artists and designers represented in the sale also includes Ida Rittenberg
Kohlmeyer, Bridget Riley, Paul Jenkins, Sam Gilliam, Dale Chihuly, Vladimir Kagan, Tommi
Parzinger and many others. Eight lots contain lithographs by Takashi Murakami (Japanese, b.
1962-). Whimsical and vibrantly colorful, Murakami editions are always in demand with
collectors, said Baca.

Twelve lots of coveted Paul Evans for Directional midcentury furniture are entered in the sale,
including several designs from the Cityscape series. There are various tables, a bar, four bar
stools, a desk, dining table, console, shelving unit, cabinet and other forms.

Five pieces of desirable Picasso pottery will take the spotlight. Within the grouping are two
variations of the classic Chouette (Owl), two painted plates, and an example of the Pichet Anse
Prise seized-handle vessel made in 1953 in a small edition of 200. Most of the pieces are from
the Estate of Florida physician Samuel L. Scher.

Adding an elegant touch to the sale is a gleaming selection of fine jewelry and watches that
includes pieces by Cartier, Rolex, Baume & Mercier, Tom Ford, and many other exclusive
brands. Some are custom designs or estate pieces from the Palm Beach area; all are of very high
quality.

As a special auction-day treat for guests of all ages, PBMA will pay tribute to the prized
consignment of Lalanne sheep with an onsite petting zoo. Prior to the auction, from 10:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m., all in attendance are invited to visit and pet a sheep and two lambs.

PBMAs May 6, 2017 auction consists of two consecutive sessions, with the 170-lot opening
session titled Selected Works: Fine Art, Design & Luxury; and a second session of 300+ lots
titled Modern Art, Design & Luxury, its focus being on furniture, art and luxury goods. Start time
is 12:00 noon Eastern. The exhibition center and auction venue is located at 417 Bunker Rd.,
West Palm Beach, FL 33405. A complimentary catered luncheon and free valet parking will be
available to all. For additional information on any item in the sale, call 561-586-5500 or e-mail
info@modernauctions.com. View the fully illustrated catalog and bid absentee or live online
through LiveAuctioneers.

CAPTION:
Francois-Xavier Lalanne (French, 1927-2008), Nouveaux Moutons, flock of five life-size epoxy
stone and patinated-bronze sheep including ewe, ram, and three lambs, 1996-97, Landowski
Fondeur foundry stamp. Extensive provenance including Dorothy Blau Gallery, Miami. Estimate
$600,000-$900,000 Image courtesy of Palm Beach Modern Auctions

Keywords: art, furniture, LaLanne, Cartier, Rolex

Fine art, design and luxury goods, mid century furniture, Paul Evans, Alex Katz,
Picasso pottery, Cartier, Rolex, Baume & Mercier, Tom Ford

Contact:
Rico Baca
Palm Beach Modern Auctions
417 Bunker Rd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
561/583-5500
info@modernauctions.com
http://www.modernauctions.com

About Palm Beach Modern Auctions

Palm Beach Modern Auctions specializes in 20th Century Furniture, Fine &
Decorative Arts. Our West Palm Beach exhibition center is host to as many as five
exciting auction events annually - catering to dealers, collectors, and a discerning
client base established over nearly a decade at Objects20c and Objects In the Loft
gallery locations. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres are served throughout the course of
the event.

In addition to our auction company, our full service galleries Objects20c & Objects in
the Loft showcase 8,000 square feet of mid-century modern, mission, and vintage
rattan furnishings and decorative arts - open year round, located in West Palm
Beach, Florida.

Quote:
PBMAs May 6, 2017 auction consists of two consecutive sessions, with the 170-lot opening
session titled Selected Works: Fine Art, Design & Luxury; and a second session of 300+ lots
titled Modern Art, Design & Luxury, its focus being on furniture, art and luxury goods.