FROM ABSTRACTS TO POP ART, CONSIGNMENT DIRECTOR DESIREE PAKRAVAN HIGHLIGHTS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN HERITAGE’S APRIL 22 EVENT
Whether you are drawn to the bold pop imagery of Warhol, the elegant modernism of Picasso or the luminous abstraction of Diebenkorn, Heritage’s April 22 Prints & Multiples Signature® Auction presents an excellent opportunity to expand your collection with museum-quality works. In advance of the auction, we asked Desiree Pakravan, Consignment Director of Prints & Multiples at Heritage, to point out some of the most sought-after pieces in the sale. Keep reading for Pakravan’s top picks and the types of collectors who might appreciate them the most.
Andy Warhol ‘Truck (complete series, four works),’ 1985. Screenprints in colors on Lenox Museum Board. 32-1/4 x 32-1/4 inches (81.9 x 81.9 cm) (each sheet). Ed. 2/60 (aside from 45 proofs, variously editioned).
For the Pop Art Enthusiast
Andy Warhol, the king of Pop Art, remains a dominant force in the print market, with his bold and vibrant silkscreens transforming everyday imagery into high art. Collectors will have the chance to bid on some of his most iconic prints, which continue to define the intersection of commercialism and fine art. One of the many highlights being offered in this sale is Warhol’s Truck, a striking series that showcases his fascination with commercial and industrial imagery.
Commissioned by Germany’s Federal Association for Road Haulage, Truck continues Warhol’s tradition of elevating everyday objects – this time, turning his focus from soup cans and celebrities to the utilitarian world of transportation. The series consists of four silkscreen prints, each depicting a stylized cargo truck in Warhol’s signature bold colors and high-contrast composition. The repetition and flattening of the image emphasize the truck as both a symbol of modern industry and a mass-produced object, reinforcing Warhol’s commentary on consumerism. The vivid color choices, ranging from deep blues to fiery reds, infuse the trucks with a dynamic, almost futuristic energy, making them visually striking despite their mundane subject matter. Estimated at $100,000-$150,000 for the portfolio, this work is not only an exceptional addition to one’s collection, but also a significant piece of history.
Pablo Picasso ‘Figure de proue (A.R. 136),’ 1952. White earthenware clay, decoration in engobes, engraved, glaze inside. 9 x 9 x 4-1/8 inches (22.9 x 22.9 x 10.5 cm) (overall). Ed. 203/300.
For the Ceramics Fan
Collectors who are passionate about ceramics shouldn’t miss Pablo Picasso’s Figure de Proue. This remarkable example showcases the artist’s innovative approach to ceramics, a medium he explored extensively from the late 1940s onward. Created in collaboration with the renowned Madoura pottery studio in Vallauris, France, this work showcases Picasso’s ability to merge sculpture, painting and traditional craft into a singular artistic expression.
The title Figure de Proue, meaning “figurehead,” embodies Picasso’s signature stylization, with bold lines and expressive features that transform the ceramic form into a powerful and dynamic pitcher. Using the earthy textures of clay as his canvas, Picasso abstracts what may be a female figure and a bird, the hands serving as the feet of a bird. It is both playful and refined and holds a special place in the realm of collectible ceramics.
Jeff Koons ‘Balloon Dog (Blue),’ 2021. Porcelain with blue chromatic coating. 15-7/8 x 6-1/4 x 19 inches (40.3 x 15.9 x 48.3 cm) (overall). Ed. 683/799 (aside from 50 artist’s proofs).
For the Sculpture Lover
With their striking presence and conceptual depth, Jeff Koons’ Balloon sculptures continue to captivate collectors, redefining what sculpture can be in the modern era. They are among the most iconic and instantly recognizable works in contemporary art, elevating the ordinary into something monumental and luxurious. These large-scale sculptures shaped like inflated balloon animals blend childlike whimsy with high-art sophistication, challenging perceptions of materiality, value and meaning. Meticulously crafted from highly reflective stainless steel with a flawless, colored mirror finish , these works have become symbols of Koons’ brand of kitsch-meets-high art. One of his most famous works, available in vibrant hues including red, yellow, blue and orange, is his Balloon Dog. Estimated at $15,000-$25,000, this edition would make an exciting addition to any collection.
Jeff Koons ‘Balloon Rabbit (Violet),’ 2017. Porcelain with violet chromatic coating. 10-1/2 x 5-3/8 x 8-1/4 inches (26.7 x 13.7 x 21.0 cm) (overall). Ed. 670/999 (aside from 50 artist’s proofs).
Jeff Koons ‘Balloon Swan (Magenta),’ 2017. Porcelain with magenta chromatic coating. 9-3/4 x 6-1/4 x 10 inches (24.8 x 15.9 x 25.4 cm) (overall). Ed. 461/999 (aside from 50 artist’s proofs).
Expanding on his balloon animal series, Koons created Balloon Rabbit and Balloon Swan. These sculptures maintain the same reflective, oversized aesthetic, celebrating playfulness while referencing historical sculpture traditions. Being offered at $7,000-$9,000 each, these playful figures embody themes of innocence, celebration and nostalgia, evoking childhood joy while also questioning the nature of luxury and art-world elitism.
Wayne Thiebaud ‘Candy Apples,’ from ‘Candy,’ 1987. Woodcut in colors on Tosa Koza paper. 23-1/4 x 24 inches (59.1 x 61.0 cm) (sheet). Ed. 164/200 (aside from proofs).
For the Nostalgic Aficionado
One of my favorite prints in this auction is Wayne Thiebaud’s Candy Apples, estimated at $40,000-$60,000. It is a charming example of his signature approach to color, texture and nostalgia-infused subject matter. Known for his depictions of everyday treats, Thiebaud transforms simple candy apples into luminous objects through his masterful use of rich pigments and painterly printmaking techniques. The glossy surfaces of the apples, accentuated by bold shadows and vibrant highlights, create a sense of both realism and whimsy.
Wayne Thiebaud ‘Chocolates,’ 1993. Etching and drypoint in colors on Somerset paper. 10 x 11-1/2 inches (25.4 x 29.2 cm) (sight). Ed. 31/50.
If you prefer chocolate over candy apples, Heritage is also offering Thiebaud’s 1993 etching Chocolates. Depicting an assortment of glossy, perfectly arranged chocolates, the work highlights Thiebaud’s mastery of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and allure. Estimated at $8,000-$12,000, the composition gives the chocolates a sculptural quality, making them appear almost tangible. Both editions capture an enduring fascination with Americana and the joy found in the ordinary, making them sought-after prints for collectors who appreciate his distinct blend of pop and painterly traditions.
Richard Diebenkorn ‘High Green, Version I,’ 1992. Aquatint with etching and drypoint in colors on wove paper. 52-3/4 x 33-3/4 inches (134.0 x 85.7 cm) (sheet). Ed. 35/65 (aside from 10 artist’s proofs).
For the Abstract Admirer
Richard Diebenkorn’s High Green, Version I is a stunning example of his refined abstraction, exemplifying the geometric precision and atmospheric depth that define the artist’s later works. Created in 1992, this print belongs to Diebenkorn’s celebrated Ocean Park period, where he translated the light and space of California’s coastal landscapes into rich, layered compositions. Estimated at $70,000-$90,000, High Green, Version I is characterized by a structured yet fluid arrangement of color fields, dominated by lush green hues, intersecting lines and subtle tonal variations. The composition feels at once expansive and intimate, inviting the viewer to engage with its intricate balance of form and movement. Through delicate shifts in opacity and saturation, Diebenkorn achieves a sense of both restraint and spontaneity, a hallmark of his artistic vision.
As a print, it highlights Diebenkorn’s mastery of translating his painterly sensibilities into the printmaking medium. It remains a highly sought-after work for collectors who appreciate the quiet complexity and meditative quality of his art.
DESIREE PAKRAVAN is Consignment Director of Prints & Multiples at Heritage Auctions. She can be reached at DesireeP@HA.com or 310.492.8621.