Image: Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973), Tête de Femme Couronnée de Fleurs (Pichet), Unique Ceramic, 1954
Freeman's | Hindman will hold its Impressionist and Modern Art auction in New York on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 11 am Eastern Time. The sale of 100 lots is led by a recently rediscovered ceramic by Pablo Picasso, 'Tête de Femme Couronnée de Fleurs (Pichet)', made in 1954. According to the auction house, the piece is otherwise known only through another example held in a museum collection.
As its title indicates, the pitcher takes the form of a woman's head crowned with flowers. The catalogue describes it as a unique ceramic.
A second focus is a 1950 gouache by Fernand Léger, 'Les Constructeurs au Vélo'. It is one of the key preparatory works for 'Les Constructeurs', the series Léger began in the early 1950s and one of the most significant of his late career. Drawing on the rebuilding of post-war Europe, the series also reflects on the dignity of working-class labour and the scale of modern industry.
Other highlights include Diego Rivera's 'Cabeza de Niño' (1935), Auguste Rodin's 'Femme au Pyjama Noir Entrouvert' (c. 1900), Albert Birkle's 'Francis in the Stable (Franziskus im Stall)' (1927), Henri Lebasque's 'Nu Étendu, Bras Levés, Au Coussin Bleu' (c. 1920–1921) and Dame Laura Knight's 'Children in a Rowboat' (1916). The sale also introduces the collection of Arthur Schleifer, including Post-Impressionist works by Raoul Dufy.
Works can be viewed in advance at Freeman's | Hindman's galleries at 32 East 67th Street, from 20 to 24 October and on 26 October, from 10 am to 5 pm, and on the morning of the sale from 10 to 11 am.
