Sotheby’s to auction major Czech Avant-Garde works

The Message in the Forest by Toyen

On 12 November 2014 in London, Sotheby’s will present Czech Avant-Garde Art from the Roy & Mary Cullen Collection.

Adrian Biddell, Senior Director, Sotheby’s 19th Century European Paintings department, describes the Roy & Mary Cullen Collection, as “an extraordinary collecting achievement. Formed with a combination of passion and patience, it focuses on the rich and compelling story of Czech Avant-Garde art between the First and Second World Wars as told by the artists, illustrators, photographers and writers of the time.

“The paintings, works on paper, prints and books capture the visual, literary and intellectual ideas that flourished in Prague and Paris during this period. Sotheby’s sale of the Hascoe Collection of Czech Modern Art in London in June 2011 revealed enormous interest in the market for Czech art and realised more than double the pre-sale estimate.

“The Roy & Mary Cullen Collection presents the next chapter in Czech art, specifically Czech Surrealism between the wars.”

Comprising approximately 120 lots, the Roy & Mary Cullen Collection is expected to bring in the region of £1.7 million.