Key Takeaways
- Ed Ruscha's iconic piece, "Standard Station, Western at Ten Cents Torn in Half" (1964), is expected to exceed $50 million at Christie's auction, potentially breaking the artist's auction record.
- The 3-meter wide canvas was a focal point of Ruscha's blockbuster retrospective at major art museums in 2023-24.
- Ruscha first encountered Standard Oil gas stations during a road trip in 1962 along Route 66, which inspired his famous series of six gas station paintings.
- The painting is being auctioned by Texas billionaire Sid Bass, setting the stage for a record sale.
Ed Ruscha's painting, "Standard Station, Western at Ten Cents Torn in Half," is poised to make a splash at Christie's auction. The auction house anticipates it will sell for over $50 million. This painting is a key piece of Ruscha's work, uniquely blending Americana and Pop Art.
The significance of "Standard Station" is immense. It could break Ruscha's auction record. In 2019, "Hurting the Word Radio #2" sold for $52.5 million with fees, establishing a new high. The sale of "Standard Station" at Christie's is expected to surpass this record, solidifying Ruscha's place in contemporary art.
Ruscha's gas station paintings, like "Standard Station," are symbols of American culture and automotive history. Ruscha was inspired by Standard Oil gas stations during a 1962 road trip on Route 66. His six paintings of these stations are among his most famous works. Now, a major piece from his collection is being auctioned by Texas billionaire Sid Bass.
Nicolas Sarazin