My Friend, Fernando Botero: The Salomón & Rosita Lerner Collection

NEW YORK | 1 MARCH 2024

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Manuel Serrano, El baile (detail) Art of America, 19 January, Lot 54, $30,000 - 60,000

LIVE AUCTION New York

1 March

SPECIALISTS

CONTACTS

NEW YORK

LATIN AMERICA

Anna Di Stasi Head of Latin American Art Senior Vice President +1 212 894 1187 anna.distasi@sothebys.com

Lulu Creel Chairman, Latin America Mexico City +52 55 52 81 22 0 0 lulu.creel@sothebys.com

Emily Nice Specialist, Latin American Art Assistant Vice President +1 212 894 1764 emily.nice@sothebys.com

Tatiana Peralta Vice President, Business Development Mexico City +52 55 52 81 22 0 0 tatiana.peralta@sothebys.com

Isabel Rubio-Topete Associate Cataloguer Latin American Art +1 212 60 6 7513 isabel.rubio-topete@sothebys.com

Katia Mindlin Leite Barbosa Director, President Sotheby's Brazil +55 21 2553 1946 katia.mindlin@sothebys.com

1 PM

EXHIBITION On view in New York from 24?29 February Monday?Saturday | 10 :0 0 AM?5:0 0 PM Sunday | 1:0 0 ?5:0 0 PM

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EUROPE SALE NUMBER N11567

Alexandra Schader Senior Director | Contemporary and Modern Art Madrid, Spain +34 91 576 5714 alexandra.schader@sothebys.com

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UNITED STATES

Telephone bid requests should be received 24 hours prior to the sale. This service is offered for lots with a low estimate of $5,0 0 0 and above.

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FOR PAYMENT, DELIVERY AND COLLECTION +1 212 60 6 7444 uspostsaleservices@sothebys.com

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Cover and detail illustration: Lot 5, Florero, 1974, $1,000,000-1,500,000

Sotheby?s is proud to present a dedicated

Not surprisingly, one of the most

auction of the Collection of Salomón and

significant chapters in Salomón Lerner 's

Rosita Lerner this March, 2024. Here, we

life revolves around his deep friendship

are thrilled not only to celebrate the

with renowned artist Fernando Botero.

profound friendship between Salomón

Born of a serendipitous acquaintance at

Lerner, the visionary creator of Librería

Bogotá?s Café Automático, at the heart of

Lerner, and the iconic artist Fernando

the city?s artistic avant-garde of the late

Botero, but also to pay homage to

1950s, their instant connection

Lerner 's extensive contributions to

blossomed into a lifelong bond. Their

Colombia's cultural tapestry.

camaraderie only grew over the years, fueled by shared experiences of

Born in Moisés Ville, Argentina, in 1929,

migration and a common appreciation

Salomón Lerner 's early life was marked

for the arts.

by constant movement and entrepreneurial spirit. His family's

In 1974, as Lerner relocated to Madrid

migration from Russia to Argentina,

and Botero to Paris, distance failed to

escaping persecution against Jews, laid

dampen their friendship. German

the foundation for a life of resilience and

Arciniegas, the distinguished Colombian

determination. From a young age, Lerner

writer and diplomat, became the conduit

displayed a shrewd business acumen,

that sustained their bond across borders.

venturing into diverse industries, from

This period marked a significant chapter

selling insect repellents and watch straps

as Salomón, already an editor of notable

to journalism and photography.

history publications like La Historia Extensa de Colombia (An Extended History

The pivotal moment in Salomón Lerner 's

of Colombia) (1966), championed

career came with the establishment of

Botero's early career by editing the

the bookstore Librería Lerner in Bogotá,

artist?s first major monograph in 1977.

Colombia in 1958. Over nearly sixty years

Published in Spanish and subsequently

of operation in the nation?s capital,

released in English by Abrams in New

Librería Lerner played a crucial role in

York, this endeavor marked a key

shaping Colombia?s intellectual

milestone for Botero, catapulting him to

discourse, establishing Lerner as a

a new level of celebrity and marking his

cultural pioneer.

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Fernando Botero, Salomón Lerner and Sophia Vari with Lot 6, El presidente, at Botero's 75th Birthday Celebration, 2007

formal inclusion in the academic canon

acquisition of La coleccionista (The Collector), in a characteristically winking gesture Botero surprised them with the gift of a small painting in which Lerner himself gazes upon La coleccionista ? adding a third humorous layer of gaze to the already self-reflexive painting. The oil diptych Adam and Eve was similarly gifted as an exchange during one of Lerner ?s many visits to the artist in Paris. The culmination of their friendship was marked by the celebration together of Botero?s 75th birthday, a testament to

Librería Lerner in Bogotá, Colombia, circa 1960

the enduring relationship forged over decades.

The two titans also shared a love of La Lot 5, Florero, 1974 at the Lerner home in Madrid

corrida, Spanish bullfighting, that echoed

companion in their extraordinary

throughout both their working

journey.

relationship and friendship. From their of art history. Their collaboration

celebrated still-lifes round out our

continued via the imprint Lerner &

selection of works. Notably, these

Lerner, where Lerner edited numerous

acquisitions were made through the

critical monographs on the artist?s work,

prestigious Marlborough Gallery,

including the catalogue for Botero?s 1987

underscoring the discerning taste and

exhibition at the Museo Nacional Centro

commitment of the Lerners to art

de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid, La Corrida,

appreciation.

followed by La Pintura in 1992, and many others.

Lerner, a man of vibrant personality, blended intellect with a keen sense of

Salomón and Rosita Lerner, passionate

humor. His zest for life was evident in the

art collectors, added an extra dimension

anecdotes of his friendship with

to their friendship with Botero by

Fernando Botero. The exchanges of witty

acquiring several of his works spanning

banter and shared laughter during their

the 1970s to the 2000s. They also

dinners and gatherings illuminated

expanded their collection to include

Lerner ?s charismatic and warmhearted

important paintings by the acclaimed

nature - and Botero?s famed wit.

painter Claudio Bravo, two of whose

Following Salomón and Rosita?s

collaboration on the Reina Sofía

In Fernando Botero's affection towards

catalogue, to Salomón?s acquisition of En

Rosita and the profound bond with

la arena from Botero?s seminal

Salomón, we witness the genuine and

examination of the theme, to Salomón?s

lasting impact of a friendship that

ritual of video-taping and mailing

transcended artistic collaborations,

bullfights to Fernando every summer, the

enriching the lives of both families.

agony and ecstasy of the dramatic

As Sotheby's prepares to showcase

Spanish sport was elemental in their

Salomón Lerner 's legacy, the echoes of

lifelong bond.

these anecdotes reverberate through

Above all, Salomón and Rosita cultivated

the auction room, offering a glimpse

a beautiful family. Rosita, a beacon of

into the vibrant tapestry of a

strength and intelligence, stood as the

friendship that shaped cultural

driving force in Salomón?s life ? steering

narratives and celebrated the enduring

their shared experiences, and nurturing

power of art.

both their family and their art collection.

Galit Lerner

Her unwavering presence and fierce spirit made her an indispensable

January 2024 8

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Lot 1 FERNANDO BOTERO 1932 - 2023 La coleccionista signed Botero and dated 74 (lower right) oil and collage on canvas 35¾ by 31 in.

91 by 79 cm.

Executed in 1974.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner Lit erat ure Germán Arciniegas, Fernando Botero, New York, 1977, no. 180, n.p., illustrated in color Werner Spies, Fernando Botero Bilder-Zeichnungen-Skulpturen,Munich, 1986, no.

25, n.p., illustrated in color Werner Spies,Fernando Botero: Paintings and Drawings, Munich, 1992, no. 23, n.p., illustrated in color Carlos Fuentes, Botero Women, New York, 20 03, p. 81, illustrated in color Mariana Hanstein, Fernando Botero, Cologne, 20 03, p. 67, illustrated in color $ 4 0 0 ,0 0 0 - 60 0,0 0 0

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Lot 2 Fernando Bot ero 1932 - 2023

En la arena signed Botero and dated 86 (lower right) oil on canvas 15¾ by 19¾ in.

40 by 50 cm.

Executed in 1986.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner Lit erat ure Jose Manuel Caballero Bonald, Botero: The Bullfight, Madrid, 1989, p. 68, illustrated in color $ 150 ,0 0 0 - 20 0 ,0 0 0

Salómon Lerner and Fernando Botero with proofs of Botero: The Bullfight, illustrating the present work

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Lot 3 Fernando Bot ero 1932 - 2023 Jugando a las cartas signed Botero and dated 88 (lower right) oil on canvas 51? by 74 in.

130 by 188 cm.

Executed in 1988.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner Exhibit ed Martigny, Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Botero, 1990, no. 28, p. 48, illustrated in color Lit erat ure Exh. Cat ., Rome, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Botero Antologica, 1949-1991, 1991-92, p. 22, illustrated $ 1,0 0 0,0 0 0 - 1,50 0,0 0 0

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Lot 4 Fernando Bot ero 1932 - 2023 Eve

SPECIALISTS

incised with the artist's signature Botero, numbered 5/ 6 and stamped with the foundry mark (on the base) bronze 34 by 10 by 10 in.

86.4 by 25.4 by 25.4 cm.

Executed in 1995, this work is number 5 from an edition of 6.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner Lit erat ure Jean-Clarence Lambert and Benjamin Villegas, Botero Sculptures, Bogota 1998, p. 223, illustrated in color (another example) Exh. Cat . Coral Gables, Gary Nader Fine Art , Botero: Paintings, Sculpture, Drawings, May 1998, n.n., n.p., illustrated in color (another example) $ 350 ,0 0 0 - 4 50 ,0 0 0

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Lot 5 Fernando Bot ero 1932-2023

SPECIALISTS

CONTACTS

Florero signed Botero and dated 74 (lower right) oil on canvas 89 by 75¼ in.

226 by 191 cm.

Executed in 1974.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner Lit erat ure Germán Arciniegas, Fernando Botero, New York, 1977, no. 173, n.p., illustrated in color Giorgio Soavi, Fernando Botero, Milan, 1988, no.

111, p. 139, illustrated in color Hector Loaiza, Botero S'explique, France, 1997, p.

60, illustrated in color $ 1,0 0 0,0 0 0 - 1,50 0,0 0 0

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Manuel Serrano, El baile (detail) Art of America, 19 January, Lot 54, $30,000 - 60,000

Lot 6 Fernando Bot ero 1932 - 2023 El presidente signed Botero and dated 90 (lower right) oil on canvas 20 ½ by 11? in.

52 by 30 cm.

Executed in 1990.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner Exhibit ed Rome, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Botero Antologica, 1949-1991, 1991-92, no. 55, p. 89, illustrated in color $ 20 0,0 0 0 - 30 0,0 0 0

Salómon Lerner and Fernando Botero

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Lot 7 Fernando Bot ero 1932 - 2023 Hombre a caballo signed Botero and dated 90 (lower right) oil on canvas 26¾ by 20 in.

68 by 51 cm.

Executed in 1990.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner $ 250,0 0 0 - 350,0 0 0

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SPECIALISTS

CONTACTS

34 Norton Bush, Sunset over Lake Nicaragua (detail) The Hudson River School in Focus: Property from the Friedman Collection, 11 January, Lot 17, $25,000-35,000

Lot 8 Claudio Bravo 1936 - 20 11 Still Life signed Claudio Bravo and dated MMIV (lower right) oil on canvas 31½ by 51 in.

80 by 129.5 cm.

Executed in 20 0 4.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner Lit erat ure Paul Bowles; Francisco Calvo Serraller; Edward J. Sullivan, Claudio Bravo, Paintings and Drawings (1964/ 2004), Madrid, 20 0 5, p. 432, illustrated in color $ 250,0 0 0 - 350,0 0 0

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Lot 9

Fernando Bot ero 1932 - 2023

SPECIALISTS

CONTACTS

Madame Gres signed Botero, dated 81 and dedicated A Salómon (lower right) charcoal and pastel on paper 16? by 14? in.

43 by 36 cm.

Executed in 1981.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner $ 4 0,0 0 0 - 60 ,0 0 0

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Lot 10 Fernando Bot ero 1932 - 2023 Adam and Eve [Diptych] each signed with the initials F.B.(center right) oil on canvas, in two parts 23¾ by 13¾ in.

60 by 35 cm.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner $ 150 ,0 0 0 - 20 0 ,0 0 0

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Lot 11 Fernando Bot ero 1932 - 2023 Familia incised with the artist's signature Botero, numbered 4/ 6 and stamped with the foundry mark (on the base) bronze 9 by 21¼ by 15 in.

23 by 54 by 38 cm.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner $ 180 ,0 0 0 - 250,0 0 0

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Lot 12 Claudio Bravo 1936 - 20 11 My Studio in Tangier signed Claudio Bravo and dated MCMXCVI (lower left) oil on canvas 47? by 59 in.

120 by 150 cm.

Executed in 1996.

Provenance Marlborough Gallery, New York Acquired from the above circa 1998 by the present owner Exhibit ed New York, Marlborough Gallery, Claudio Bravo: Recent Works, 1998, no. 28, p. 43, illustrated in color Paris, Institut du monde arabe, Claudio Bravo et le Maroc, 20 0 4, p. 52, illustrated in color Lit erat ure Paul Bowles and Mario Vargas Llosa, Claudio Bravo, Paintings and Drawings, New York, 1997, p.

239, illustrated in color Paul Bowles; Francisco Calvo Serraller; Edward J. Sullivan, Claudio Bravo, Paintings and Drawings (1964/ 2004), Madrid, 20 0 5, no. X, n.p., illustrated in color $ 150 ,0 0 0 - 20 0 ,0 0 0

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Lot 13 Fernando Bot ero 1932 - 2023 Sonámbula incised with the artist's signature Botero, numbered 2/ 6 and stamped with the foundry mark (on the base) bronze 24½ by 11½ by 9 in.

62.2 by 29.2 by 22.9 cm.

Executed in 20 0 1, this work is number 2 from an edition of 6.

Provenance Acquired from the artist by the present owner Lit erat ure Jean-Marie Tasset ,Botero, Paris, 20 02, p. 10 5, illustrated in color (another example) David Benrimon Fine Art LLC, Fernando Botero: Works on Paper, Paintings, and Sculptures, New York, 20 13, no.

7, p. 86, illustrated in color (another example) $ 250,0 0 0 - 350,0 0 0

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