Los Angeles, CA — On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 12:00pm PDT, John Moran Auctioneers will present their first major sale of the year, Art + Design. The auction, having nearly 300 lots, will feature an array of styles and aesthetics from luminaries including Carl Barks, Adolph Gottlieb, Judy Chicago, Sam Francis, Gregory Kondos, Ernest Trova, Baltasar Lobo, Milton Komisar, Joan Brown, Robert Cottingham, Frederick McDuff, Norman Zammitt, Zygmund Sazevich, Taro Yashima, and David Hockney. The design and furniture offerings boast works by George Nakashima, Piero Fornasetti, Gae Aulenti, Gaetano Pesce, Charles and Ray Eames, Frank Gehry, Hans Wegner, Frank Lloyd Wright, Steve Klein, Eero Saarinen, Harrison McIntosh, Lagardo Tackett, Florence Knoll, and Isamu Noguchi.
Adolph Gottlieb (1903-1974), "Untitled" $40,000-60,000
Leading Moran’s Art + Design sale is an iconic oil on canvas by Carl Barks (1901-2000), the legendary “Good Duck Artist” whose influence on Disney and comic books remains unmatched. Titled Bullet Valley (1971), this captivating work measures 20″ x 16″ and is estimated at $50,000-$70,000. Barks, best known for creating Scrooge McDuck, Gladstone Gander, and the Beagle Boys, worked anonymously for much of his career, with fans only discovering his identity in the late 1950s. His transition to fine art in the 1970s, after being granted permission by Disney to create and sell oil paintings of his iconic duck characters, marked a new chapter in his artistic journey. Bullet Valley is one of these rare paintings, showcasing Barks’ skillful storytelling and deep connection to the Disney universe.
Shifting gears from the playful world of Carl Barks, the auction also features an intriguing work on paper by Abstract Expressionist pioneer Adolph Gottlieb (1903-1974). Known for his striking Pictographs, which he developed in the early ’40s, Gottlieb’s work conveys the emotional intensity and existential concerns of his time. His Pictographs—abstract, yet deeply symbolic—reveal a raw and introspective approach to the human condition, particularly in the face of societal turmoil. His 1951 Untitled gouache on paper, estimated $40,000-60,000, is a remarkable example of his mature work and reflects both the emotional depth and visionary abstraction that made him a leading figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement.
George Nakashima (1905-1990), A carved walnut dining table $8,000-10,000
Moran’s is excited to offer two significant works by Judy Chicago (b. 1939), an American artist and a pioneering figure in the feminist art movement. Double Clear Handout / Handsoff (2006), a fused glass sculpture from her Hands series, carries an estimate of $40,000-60,000 and reflects her exploration of identity. The lot also includes a signed exhibition catalogue. Additionally, Study for Sewing Circle II (1990), a pastel and ink from the Holocaust Project: From Darkness to Light series, estimated $10,000-15,000, offers insight into one of her iconic series focused on feminist symbolism.
An untitled work by Sam Francis (1923-1994), an important figure in American abstract expressionism, will make its way to the block. Estimated $20,000-30,000, this painting showcases Francis’s exceptional ability to capture light and color, elements that defined his groundbreaking career. Born in 1923, Francis became known for his vibrant, dynamic compositions, creating thousands of paintings, works on paper, prints, and monotypes throughout his life. His work, celebrated for its bold use of color and expansive sense of space, is housed in major museum collections around the world.
This sale will present a vibrant work by Gregory Kondos (1923-2021), a beloved American Contemporary landscape painter. With an estimate of $10,000-15,000, Haystack captures the bold use of color and light that Kondos was known for, evoking the beauty of Northern California’s natural landscapes. His paintings were often inspired by the likes of Cézanne and Gauguin, and his work was described by fellow artist Wayne Thiebaud as “a kind of brush dancing.”
Highlighting the design offerings is a remarkable selection of pieces by some of the most influential designers of the 20th century. A carved walnut dining table by George Nakashima, created in 1956 (estimated $8,000-10,000), showcases the masterful craftsmanship that made Nakashima a pioneer of American furniture design. Also featured is a pair of Pipistrello table lamps by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce, designed in the 1960s and estimated at $2,000-4,000. Aulenti, one of post-war Italy’s leading female architects and designers, brought her distinctive vision to lighting, creating timeless pieces that blend elegance and function. Another highlight is a four-panel folding screen by Piero Fornasetti (estimated $3,000-5,000). Designed in 1955, the screen’s whimsical lithographs of hot air balloons on lacquered wood panels reflect Fornasetti’s ability to merge art and everyday objects. Finally, Gaetano Pesce’s Broadway Chair for Bernini, designed in 1993 (estimated $2,500-3,000), combines a marbled resin back splat with a stainless-steel frame, showcasing Pesce’s bold approach to modern furniture design.
Rounding out the sale are chairs by Eames (some being first generation), with estimates ranging from $200-4,000, as well as six molded leg splints by Evans Products Company in the original box. There will also be a Parallel Bar System Armless Sofa and Slipper Chair by Florence Knoll and a nice collection of mid-century pottery— three lots of glazed stoneware by Harrison McIntosh, estimates from $700-1,500, and A Model T-102 planter for Architectural Pottery by Lagardo Tackett, estimated at $700-900.
— Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
“Leading Moran’s Art + Design sale is an iconic oil on canvas by Carl Barks (1901-2000), the legendary “Good Duck Artist” whose influence on Disney and comic books remains unmatched. Titled Bullet Valley (1971), this captivating work measures 20" x 16" and is estimated at $50,000-$70,000.”
Carl Barks (1901-2000), "Bullet Valley" $50,000-70,000
Upcoming Auctions
John Moran Auctioneers is continuing their 2025 lineup with the Studio Fine & Decorative Art Online sale, Tuesday, January 28th, 2025, followed by the Stitches: Handbags, Couture, & Accessories Online auction, February 11th, 2025. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!
Studio Fine & Decorative Art Online: Tuesday, January 28th | 10:00 am PDT
Stitches: Handbags, Couture, & Accessories Online: Tues., Feb.11th | 10:00 am PDT
Art + Design: Tuesday, February 25th | 12:00 pm PDT
California Living: Tuesday, March 11th | 12:00 pm PDT
Art of the American West: Tuesday, March 25th | 12:00 pm PDT
The Traditional Collector: Tuesday, April 8th | 12:00 pm PDT
Jewelry & Watches: Tuesday, April 22nd | 12:00 pm PDT
For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com and follow us on social media: @johnmoran_auctioneers. Along with our website, bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app, Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. You may also choose to bid by phone or absentee.
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