Prev · Lot 08 of 20

Alice Baber (1928-1982) Untitled

Dimensions 52 × 37 cm | 20.5 × 14.6 in
Medium Watercolor on Paper
Sold For
14,000
17,920 € with buyer’s premium (rate at the time of sale)
Estimate: 1,200 - 1,400 €

Details

Signed: Hand-signed “Baber” in pencil in the lower right corner.

Sizes:
Frame: 70 × 55 cm | 27.6 × 21.7 in
Artwork: 52 × 37 cm | 20.5 × 14.6 in

This luminous watercolor on paper is a quintessential example of Alice Baber’s exploration of “color light” and organic abstraction. The composition features her signature translucent, overlapping orbs in a vibrant palette of amber, crimson, and soft yellows, creating a sense of fluid movement and radiant depth across the page.

As a prominent figure in the Post-War American abstraction movement, Baber’s work in this piece demonstrates her mastery of the watercolor medium, where delicate washes of color evoke a poetic, celestial atmosphere. The ethereal quality of the overlapping forms highlights her unique ability to infuse abstract shapes with a rhythmic, pulsing vitality.

Provenance

Private Collection, Spain (acquired from the above in 2013).

Condition Report

he work is in good overall condition with vibrant colors. Minor age-related toning is visible along the edges, consistent with age. Housed in a dark wooden frame with a gold inner lip. The frame shows light surface wear and some foxing/staining on the matting. The back of the frame is sealed with brown craft paper, which shows typical signs of aging.

Authenticity & Buyer Information

Aurora & Athena provides a Five-Year Authenticity Guarantee for qualifying catalogue attributions, in accordance with our Conditions of Sale.

Buyers should review the catalogue carefully and raise any questions before bidding; additional information is not ordinarily provided after the auction.

5-Year Authenticity Guarantee

Every piece is backed by a written guarantee and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Full Shipping Support

We coordinate professional, insured shipping worldwide, for auction and gallery purchases alike.

Expert-Curated Selection

Every lot is reviewed and vetted by our specialists before it reaches a sale.

Secure Payment

Pay by card for purchases up to €5,000, or by secure bank transfer for larger amounts.

Alice Baber

Alice Baber

American (1928-1982)

Alice Baber was an influential American abstract expressionist painter known for her vibrant use of color and mastery of light. Born in Illinois, she studied at Indiana University and travelled extensively in Europe and Latin America, developing a unique artistic style defined by luminous layers of thin oil paint and characteristic circular, luminous forms. Her work celebrated color as the primary subject, creating compositions that seemed to radiate energy and optical movement.

Throughout her career, Baber exhibited widely in major international galleries and museums, and she was also a passionate curator and champion of women in the arts. Today, her paintings are held in prestigious public and private collections around the world, continuing to gain recognition for their profound contribution to post-war abstraction and her pioneering artistic vision.

What collectors say about us

“The description and photos of the artwork were accurate, and I felt confident in my purchase from the beginning. The team was quick to answer my questions and kept me well informed throughout the process.”
Markus, Heidelberg LiveAuctioneers
“I had a really good experience after the sale — it was smooth, asked a question and got an answer right away. Their customer service is excellent and very fast. Definitely recommend them.”
Orlando Longueira Google

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about participating in our auctions or submitting your artwork? Find answers to common inquiries below, or feel free to reach out for more details.
All Aurora & Athena auctions are held online. The simplest way to take part is to create an account on auroraathena.com: once approved, you can leave a maximum bid on any lot before the sale and bid live in our own auction room, with a buyer's premium of 25% — lower than on third-party platforms. Our sales are also listed on LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Drouot or BidSpirit, where the buyer's premium is 30%. See our How to Bid page for the full guide.
Not at the moment — we don't offer telephone bidding. You can bid from anywhere in the world in our own online auction room (create an account on auroraathena.com, 25% buyer's premium), or through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Drouot or BidSpirit (30% buyer's premium).
Yes. Once your account on auroraathena.com is approved, open any lot in the catalogue and leave your maximum bid — we bid for you, step by step, only as far as needed, and you can raise or withdraw it until the lot comes up in the live sale. Your maximum is never shown to other bidders. Absentee bids can also be left on LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Drouot or BidSpirit, at their 30% buyer's premium.
Successful bidders will receive an invoice following the auction. Payment and any applicable KYC documentation must be completed within 14 days of the auction.
If you require any additional information regarding our auctions, gallery, private sales or services, we would be delighted to assist. Contact us via our Contact page or email contact@auroraathena.com.

Stay ahead of the art world

Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive updates on upcoming auctions, new catalog releases, and more!