Los Angeles, CA — The first Art + Design auction of the year by John Moran Auctioneers took place on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025, featuring an exceptional assortment of fine art and design. The fine art lineup included Baltasar Lobo, Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Francis, Nathan Oliveira, André Hambourg, Norman Zammitt, David Hockney, Gregory Kondos, Richard Serra, Alex Prager, Judy Chicago, Robert Natkin, and Sylvester Stallone. Other highlights included design legends George Nakashima, Piero Fornasetti, Frank Lloyd Wright, and a “Sillón Leda” armchair (after Salvador Dalí) by BD Barcelona.
Lot 83: Norman Zammitt (1931-2007) "Variation on R-B" $20,320.00
Some of the top sellers of the auction were sculptures by Baltasar Lobo and Nathan Oliveira. The stunning 1977 patinated bronze sculpture, Sur la Plage, by Spanish sculptor Baltasar Lobo, sold for an impressive $30,480*. Lobo, who is celebrated for his abstract, sensual representations of the human form, was a prominent figure in 20th-century European art. Collectors showed a strong interest in a piece by Nathan Oliveira, the late Bay Area artist known for his haunting figurative works. His 1982 Head Two, a patinated and cold-painted bronze sculpture, fetched $24,130*. Oliveira’s work is often characterized by an exploration of human emotion and form, and Head Two is no exception, capturing a moment of raw, introspective expression in bronze.
Helen Frankenthaler’s woodcut Weeping Crabapple (2009) sold for $25,400*, showcasing her mastery of both color field painting and printmaking. Sam Francis, another key figure in Abstract Expressionism, also made an impact with his untitled 1979 monotype, which fetched $25,400*. Known for his large-scale, colorful works, Francis’ monotype exemplifies his dynamic approach to color and texture. Additionally, French artist André Hambourg’s oil on canvas Préparation de régates sold for $20,320*. Hambourg, renowned for his landscapes and maritime scenes, captures the serene moments before a regatta, reflecting his deep connection to the sea with a sense of peaceful energy and movement.
Lot 88: After Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) A "Sillón Leda" armchair $11,430
Perhaps one of the most exciting results came from the works of Norman Zammitt, whose eight acrylic paintings on canvasboard totalled an impressive $89,217*. Zammitt, a celebrated Maltese-American artist, is known for his dynamic compositions that explore color, form, and light. His works continue to capture the imagination of collectors, and this sale proved the enduring appeal of his distinct style.
Works by David Hockney, Gregory Kondos, Richard Serra, and Sylvester Stallone also made their mark in the sale. David Hockney, widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, had his lithograph Celia with Green Plant (1980) sell for $17,780*. Renowned California landscape artist Gregory Kondos also had strong bidding interest, with his 2011 Haystack oil on canvas selling for $13,970*. Minimalist artist Richard Serra’s Cool Down (1996), brought in $12,700*, showcasing his talent for creating energy and tension through simple, powerful lines. Meanwhile, Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone made his mark in the art world with his 1991 acrylic painting Rambo, which sold for $11,430*.
The selection of design definitely turned some heads, especially the polished brass “Sillón Leda” armchair, selling for $11,430*, is attributed to Salvador Dalí and inspired by his 1935 painting Femme à Tête de Roses. A 1956 carved walnut dining table by George Nakashima brought in $9,900*, and Piero Fornasetti’s 2011 Palloni four-panel folding screen, sold for $6,350*, with its whimsical hot air balloon design on lacquered wood panels. Lastly, a Taliesin low dresser and two side tables by Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon, sold together for $9,382*, further highlighting Wright’s iconic mid-century modern style.
*- Includes buyer’s premium.
— Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
“The stunning 1977 patinated bronze sculpture, Sur la Plage, by Spanish sculptor Baltasar Lobo, sold for an impressive $30,480*. Lobo, who is celebrated for his abstract, sensual representations of the human form, was a prominent figure in 20th-century European art.”
Lot 91: Baltasar Lobo (1910-1993) "Sur la Plage" $30,480
Upcoming Auctions
John Moran Auctioneers is continuing their 2025 lineup with the Art of the American West sale, Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, followed by the ReDesigned: Interiors auction, Tuesday, April 8th, 2025. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!
Art of the American West: Tuesday, March 25th | 12:00 pm PDT
ReDesigned: Interiors: Tuesday, April 8th | 12:00 pm PDT
Jewelry & Watches: Tuesday, April 22nd | 12:00 pm PDT
California and American Fine Art: Tuesday, May 6th | 12:00 pm PDT
Art of the American West: Tuesday, June 3rd | 10:00 am PDT
Modern & Contemporary Fine Art: Tuesday, June 17th | 12:00 pm PDT
Pop Culture, Memorabilia, & Sports: Tuesday, July 1st | 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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