15 Wolfgang Tillmans Photos Set to be Auctioned at Christie’s
A collection of fifteen iconic works by artist Wolfgang Tillmans will be offered at Christie’s auction.
Christie’s will present Wolfgang Tillmans: The Way We Look, a collection of 15 iconic photography works by Turner Prize-winning artist Wolfgang Tillmans, offered at auction in the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day and Online sales, starting 26 February 2025.
These works, all coming to market for the first time from a distinguished private collection, range in estimates from £3,000 to £120,000.
A public exhibition of the collection will be open at Christie’s King Street in London from 12 to 21 February 2025. The collection spans a transformative period in art and culture, including the 1990s, and reflects Tillmans' deep connection to the era, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the formation of the European Union.
This period also marks his groundbreaking Turner Prize win in 2000, where he became the first non-British artist and the first photographer to receive the prestigious award.
Wolfgang Tillmans, Credit: Christie's
Among the highlights are Summerstill Life (1995) and Kitchen – After Party (1992), which transform everyday moments into poetic compositions. Tillmans’ diverse portraiture is also featured, with works such as Kate Sitting (1996), capturing cultural icons like Kate Moss. Another standout is Urgency XIX (2006, estimate: £120,000–180,000), a large-scale cameraless photograph from his groundbreaking abstract series.
“This collection of Wolfgang Tillmans’ photographs not only captures a defining decade but also highlights his transformative approach to photography. We are thrilled to present this iconic collection in our upcoming Post-War and Contemporary Art Sales in London this season.” - Katharine Arnold, Vice Chairman 20th/21st Century Art and Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Europe, Christie’s London
Tillmans’ artistic journey began in 1986, using a Canon photocopier to experiment with images, and by 1989, he was documenting Hamburg’s club culture for i-D magazine. His work revolutionised photography in the 1990s, blending the everyday with the sublime while challenging the medium’s boundaries.
The exhibition will be open to the public at Christie’s King Street in London from 12-14 February (9 am-5 pm) and 17-21 February (9 am-5 pm). The Post-War and Contemporary Art Online sale runs from 26 February to 12 March 2025, with the Day Sale taking place on 6 March 2025.
