On March 4, Phillips New York will offer Vik Muniz’s* Irises, After Van Gogh (from Pictures of Magazines)*, 2004, as part of its “Under the Influence” auction. Muniz began his career in advertising at age 18 before discovering his passion for sculpture and photography. Today he is known for his illusionistic photographs of art-historical works created out of uncommon materials such as plastic toy soldiers and chocolate syrup.
This chromogenic print by Muniz is based on a Van Gogh painting in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Instead of using paint to compose the image, Muniz collaged circular cutouts from magazines. The print’s colors match the original’s so well that the print maintains the illusion of Van Gogh’s painterly brushstrokes. The work comes in the artist’s original frame and is number three of an edition of six.
Irises, After Van Gogh (from Pictures of Magazines) by Vik Muniz, 71" w. x 94.5" h.; Phillips, New York, March 4; estimate $50,000 to $70,000. phillips.com
