Henri-Robert-Marcel Duchamp represents one of the leading exponents of Dadaism and conceptual art. The work shows Duchamp’s avant-garde spirit and is considered a landmark in 20th-century art.
With a catalog estimate of €100,000.00 to €150,000.00, the French artist’s masterpiece L.H.O.O.Q was auctioned for the important sum of €321,290.00 during June 27th, 2024. The adjudication is record price for the artist and one of the best results for the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art.
Duchamp’s L.H.O.O.Q. challenges traditional views and reconsiders a classic using a moustache and goatee sketch in pencil.
Marcel Duchamp in 20 photographs by Gianfranco Baruchello
L.H.O.O.Q. is also widely discussed in the critical literature. It is featured in “Marcel Duchamp. Proposals and Memories” (Milan, Ed. Galeria Schwarz, 1965) by Pierre de Massot, created especially for No. 13 of the first edition of this essay. Arturo Schwarz also mentions this work in his catalog raisonné “The Complete Works of Marcel Duchamp” (London, Ed. Thames & Hudson, 1969, no. 261e, pp. 476-477), and in his revised and expanded edition (New York, Delano Greenidge Editions, 2000, no. 369f, pp. 670-671). This replica was made for inclusion in Pierre de Massot’s book Marcel Duchamp. The work was auctioned by in New York in 2014 and in London in 2019.
L.H.O.O.Q., 1964
This artwork not only represents a significant moment in Dadaism and Surrealism, but was also a precursor to later conceptual art.
The Department of Modern and Contemporary Art is currently selecting works for upcoming auctions. If you would like to enquire about the possibility of putting one of your items up for sale in one of our auctions, please contact our experts for a free and confidential initial valuation
Department of Modern and Contemporary Art
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