This spring, Christie’s will present a special selection of works from the collection of the late artist Sir Anthony Caro, one of the most influential British sculptors of the 20th century.
The pieces, which will be offered during the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale as part of Christie’s Spring Marquee Week in New York, include works by Caro’s close friends and artistic contemporaries, such as Kenneth Noland, Helen Frankenthaler, and Hans Hofmann. The collection offers a glimpse into the rich transatlantic dialogues that shaped Caro’s life and work and the enduring friendships that defined his career.
Rachael White Young, Senior Specialist and Head of Core Market Sales at Christie’s New York described Caro as a celebrated sculptor and a passionate advocate for fellow artists. “Caro was thoughtful, collaborative, and endlessly curious, both in his artmaking and collecting,” she said. “The works he collected reflect the deep friendships he forged with some of the most significant artists of his time. We are honoured to bring these pieces to the market, offering a window into the creative exchanges that inspired him.”
Caro, who passed away in 2013, is best known for his groundbreaking abstract sculptures, which redefined the language of modern sculpture. Trained at the Royal Academy Schools in London, he began his career as an assistant to Henry Moore in the early 1950s.
This role initially influenced his exploration of figurative forms. However, a transformative trip to the United States in 1959—funded by a Ford Foundation scholarship—marked a turning point in his practice. Caro visited museums, galleries, and art schools nationwide during his travels, meeting luminaries such as Helen Frankenthaler, Kenneth Noland, and David Smith. These encounters deepened his engagement with abstraction and sparked lifelong friendships that would profoundly shape his artistic vision.
The upcoming sale highlights the creative synergy between Caro and his contemporaries. Among the standout pieces is Kenneth Noland’s The Purkinje Effect (1964), a striking “chevron” painting from a series the artist produced for only three years. The work exemplifies Noland’s innovative composition approach with its bold symmetry and masterful use of colour. The painting carries an estimate of $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.
Also featured is Helen Frankenthaler’s Hansel and Gretel (estimate: $700,000– $1,000,000), a luminous example of her pioneering color-staining technique. By applying pigment directly to unprimed canvas, Frankenthaler achieved a sense of fluidity and spontaneity that continues to captivate viewers. Caro and Frankenthaler shared a particularly close creative rapport. In 1972, she created her first body of sculpture under Caro’s guidance in London, while Caro later experimented with painting acrylics in her New York studio a decade later.
The sale also includes works by Hans Hofmann and other artists who played a pivotal role in Caro’s artistic journey. Together, these pieces tell the story of a man who was not only a visionary sculptor but also a dedicated collector and collaborator, deeply embedded in the vibrant artistic networks of his time.
Select highlights from the collection will be exhibited in London in March, with the full selection on view at Christie’s Rockefeller Center galleries in New York ahead of the sale in May. For collectors and art enthusiasts alike, the auction promises to celebrate Caro’s legacy and the enduring power of artistic friendship.
The Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale will take place during Christie’s Spring Marquee Week in New York. Additional details are available at christies.com.
Top Photo: KENNETH NOLAND (1924-2010) Purkinje Effect, acrylic on canvas, 69 x 70 in. (176.8 x 178 cm.) Painted in 1964. Estimate: $1,000,000-1,500,000 Photo via Christie’s
