I got an email newsletter today with the headline “Most Expensive Art Sold in 2020.” I’ll admit, at first I felt like someone needed to read the room – given everything going on in the world at the moment and the number of people who’ve lost their jobs due to the pandemic, it just isn’t the right time to be glorifying Blue Chip art purchases.

But one aspect of this article piqued my curiosity: what kinds of artworks were most compelling to collectors this year? Given the large selection of artworks offered at auction in 2020, which images drew the most attention?

If you’d like to learn more about the actual sales and additional details about the individual artworks, feel free to read the Artsy article here. In the meantime, enjoy this collection (in no particular order) of some of the artworks that spoke to collectors at auction last year.

David Hockney

David Hockney, Nichols Canyon, 1980. Courtesy of Phillips.

Brice Marden

Brice Marden, Complements, 2004–07. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2020.

Barnett Newman

Barnett Newman, Onement V, 1952. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2020.

Ren Renfa

Ren Renfa, Five Drunken Princes Returning on Horseback, n.d. Courtesy of Sotheby’s. This painting measures nearly seven feet long.

Cy Twombly

Cy Twombly, Untitled [Bolsena], 1969. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2020.

Roy Lichtenstein

Roy Lichtenstein, Nude with Joyous Painting, 1994. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2020.

Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko, Untitled, 1967. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2020. This was one of Rothko’s last paintings, completed just after his works for the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas.

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon, installation view of Triptych Inspired by the Oresteia of Aeschylus, 1981, in the June 19 Evening Sale at Sotheby, 2020. Photo by Cindy Ord. Image via Getty Images.

Wu Bin

Wu Bin (Ming Dynasty), Handscroll of Ten Views of Lingbi Rock, 1610. Courtesy of Poly Auction.

Sanyu

Sanyu, Quatre nus, 1950s. Courtesy of Sotheby’s. Sanyu was known as the “Chinese Matisse.”

As an art consultant, some of my favorite resources are auctions. They are wonderful sources of vintage artworks and typically you end up paying less than at a retail gallery. (Full disclosure: the trade-off is often that the pieces are not in pristine condition or need reframing, at the very least)

I think the best part of an auction, though, is the serendipity of it all. I love to browse an auction catalog, keeping an eye out for my favorite artists or particularly attractive estimates, but mostly just enjoying the surprise of not knowing what kind of artworks will be offered for sale. Stuffed-animal-covered loveseat, anyone?

Los Angeles Modern Auctions is a local company that hosts around four sales a year, focusing on design pieces and artworks with a modern aesthetic. Their selections date from around 1950 through today, and although their estimates are often a bit higher than your average estate auction house, the offerings are expertly curated and generally in very good condition.

As a personal fan of mid-century design and artwork, I usually find myself dog-earing page after page of their sale catalogs. I don’t usually think too much about whether something would be a good buy at this point - my first criteria is always, “do I like it?”

With their end-of-September sale looming, I thought I’d share a few of my wish-list picks from the most recent LAMA catalog with you. Please note that I completely reserve the right to keep the best things secret for myself so you don’t bid against me! Click on the image to see the lot on the LAMA website.

I do bid at auction on behalf of my clients (both private and corporate) as well as myself, but it’s easy to do it yourself, if you’re so inclined. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

David Hockney

A classic California image: Mist from David Hockney’s Weather Series.

Jim Dine

Jim Dine is famous for his heart imagery, and this collection of aquatints (titled L.A. Eye Works) makes a big impact - each sheet measures 25.5 x 21.5 inches.

Andy Warhol

At first glance, I would never have assumed this graceful ink drawing was by Andy Warhol. It’s from 1954 and I love the way it references the Space Age.

Alexander Calder

As an appraiser, I come across a lot of Calder lithographs, but they don’t often feel as loose and improvised as this one from 1969. I think it would be a perfect addition to a child’s bedroom or playroom.

Henri Matisse

Technically this is a poster, but it is a vintage 10-color lithograph from 1948, based on the Matisse painting Still Life with Pomegranates. At nearly 40 inches tall, this colorful piece would make a big impact.

Lisa Larson

I am a sucker for animal art (don’t tell!) and this lion by Swedish ceramic designer Lisa Larson ticks both the “modern” and “adorable” boxes.

Florence Arnold

Florence Arnold is a lesser-known artist in the California Hard Edge movement (it’s possible that it’s not because she was a woman, but if the shoe fits . . . ). This painting is a classic style and a good size (30 x 24 inches) at a fraction the cost of a work by a better-known artist.

Helen Pashgian

Helen Pashgian is another undervalued female California artist, but her market is growing steadily. She was an important figure in the California Light and Space movement, and this acrylic and resin artwork incorporates some of her classic imagery with an unexpected pop of bright color. Do yourself a favor and learn more about Helen Pashgian!

Oskar Fischinger

Oskar Fischinger used to be an artist in the Disney animation department (he worked on Fantasia, I believe), and I’ve always been interested in his abstract artwork and this patterned painting is especially eye-catching.

Bruce Houston

I came across one of Bruce Houston’s art trucks while doing an inspection for an appraisal, and I couldn’t help but smile. It’s literally a toy truck with a giant (by comparison, anyway) painting attached! Too delicate to have anywhere near my preschooler, but fun nonetheless!