William Anastasi Paintings & Artwork for Sale | William Anastasi Art Value Price Guide

Jul. 15, 2026
William Anastasi (American, b. 1933) Subway Drawing, 1993
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
William Anastasi (American, b. 1933) Subway Drawing, 1993 pencil on paper signed William Anastasi and dated (verso) 7 5/8 x 11 5/8 inches. This lot is located in Philadelphia.
Freeman’s
Jul. 15, 2026
William Anastasi (American, b. 1933) Breath (painting of the word JEW), c. 1988
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
William Anastasi (American, b. 1933) Breath (painting of the word JEW), c. 1988 acrylic and graphite on canvas signed W. Anastasi and titled (verso) 68 1/8 x 56 inches. Property from the Collection of Temple Beth-El of Great Neck This lot is located in Philadelphia.
Freeman’s
Jun. 20, 2026
William Anastasi
Est: €50 - €100
William Anastasi 1933 Philadelphia - 2023 New York - "Autobodyography" - (2001) Two color serigraphs/Ingres paper. 28 x 21.7 cm, 40.5 x 30.4 cm. Each monogrammed lower right: W A. The sheets are loose. Slight creasing in the margin.
Das Kunst- und Auktionshaus Kastern GmbH & Co KG
Nov. 15, 2025
William Anastasi
Est: €400 - €600
William Anastasi 1933 Philadelphia - 2023 New York - Autobodygraphy - (1994) Silver gelatin print/photographic paper. 40.5 x 30.5 cm. Monogrammed and inscribed in pencil on verso: wa / 304 C1 (griffelkunst). The sheet is loose. Corners slightly damaged. Verso stained.
Das Kunst- und Auktionshaus Kastern GmbH & Co KG
Nov. 15, 2025
William Anastasi
Est: €100 - €200
William Anastasi 1933 Philadelphia - 2023 New York - "Autobodyography" - (2001) Two color serigraphs/Ingres. 28 x 21.7 cm, 40.5 x 30.4 cm. Each monogrammed lower right: W A. The sheets are loose. Slight creases in the margin area.
Das Kunst- und Auktionshaus Kastern GmbH & Co KG
Jul. 17, 2025
William Anastasi (American, 1933 - 2003)
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
"USA II (Babadad Series)." 1988. Oil on canvas. Signed on verso and titled. Provenance: Bess Cutler Gallery, 593 Broadway, NY, NY. 34 x 26"; property of a private Rhode Island collection.
Vallot Auctioneers
Jun. 25, 2025
William Anastasi (1933-2023) Untitled (dreamless sleep), 22.10.2013
Est: €25,000 - €35,000
William Anastasi (1933-2023) Untitled (dreamless sleep), 22.10.2013 Mixed media on canvas Signed and dated on the back 188 ×227cm Provenance : - Galerie Jocelyn Wolff, Romainville - Acquired from the latter by the current owner A certificate of authenticity from the artist will be given to the buyer. William Anastasi (1933-2023) Sans titre (dreamless sleep), 22.10.2013 Technique mixte sur toile Signée et datée au dos 188 ×227cm Provenance : - Galerie Jocelyn Wolff, Romainville - Acquis auprès de cette dernière par l'actuel propriétaire Un certificat d'authenticité de l'artiste sera remis à l'acquéreur.
Piasa
Jun. 05, 2025
ANASTASI, William (American, 1933-2023). Untitled. Two work...
Est: $800 - $1,200
ANASTASI, William (American, 1933-2023). Untitled. Two works. Dye transfer paper collage on board. Dated verso 1965 and 1971. Both signed lower edge. Approx. 9 x 7 ½” and 7 ¼ x 6 ½”. Unframed. Overall good condition.
Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Jun. 03, 2025
William Anastasi: Untitled (Bababda Series)
Est: €12,000 - €18,000
ANASTASI, WILLIAM 1933 Philadelphia - 2023 New York Title: Untitled (Bababda Series). Date: 1988. Technique: Oil on canvas. Measurement: 86.5 x 66cm. Notation: Signed and inscribed verso lower right: William anastasi USA I. Provenance: - Bess Cutler Gallery, New York (adhesive label) - Scott Hanson Gallery, New York - Bayer Inc., USA - Bayer AG, Leverkusen (acquired from the previous owner in 2005) Literature: - Miksche, Uta: Bayer Collection of Contemporary Art, Sewickly 1995, p. 5, fig. Estimated shipping costs for this lot: Germany: 77,31 Euro plus 14,69 Euro VAT EU: 100,84 Euro plus 19,16 Euro VAT Worldwide: 159,66 Euro plus 30,34 Euro VAT additional shipping insurance This lot will be sold under standard taxation (Condition of Sale §V5.1) Explanations to the Catalogue William Anastasi USA Conceptual Art Abstraction Post-War Art Post War 1980s Abstract Painting Oil Shapes
Van Ham Kunstauktionen
May. 24, 2025
William Anastasi (1933 - 2023)
Est: -
William Anastasi (1933 - 2023) Autobodyography, offset on photographic paper, 40 cm x 30 cm sheet dimensions, minimal fingerprints in places
Wettmann
Dec. 10, 2024
William Joseph Anastasi (American b.1933), Sarabunde, Mixed media on paper, Sight size: 17 x 11-1/4 in. (43.2 x 28.6 cm.)
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
William Joseph Anastasi (1933-2023), Sarabunde, Framed Mixed Media on Paper, Signed Anastasi and Dated 1960 l.r.,
Weschler's
Oct. 18, 2024
William Joseph Anastasi (American b.1933), Sarabunde, Mixed media on paper, Sight size: 17 x 11-1/4 in. (43.2 x 28.6 cm.)
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
William Joseph Anastasi (American, 1933-2023) Sarabunde Mixed media on paper; apparently in good condition. Framed.* Signed Anastasi and dated 1960 l.r. Property from the Mark S. Pratt Trust Provenance: Esther Stuttman Gallery, New York
Weschler's
May. 21, 2024
WILLIAM ANASTASI (1933-2023) Subway Drawings [Ten Works]
Est: $15,000 - $20,000
WILLIAM ANASTASI (1933-2023) Subway Drawings [Ten Works]
Christie's
Apr. 16, 2024
WILLIAM ANASTASI (*1933), AMERIC
Est: -
William Anastasi (*1933), American conceptual artist, 1 original photographic print ''Autobodygraphy'', monogrammed ''WA'' by hand on verso, 40 x 30 cm
Historia Auctionata
Mar. 30, 2024
William Joseph Anastasi, New York (1933-2023), Walking Drawing, ink on paper, 8 1/4"H x 11 1/2"W(sight), 14"H x 17 1/4"W(frame)
Est: $2,000 - $3,500
William Joseph Anastasi New York, (1933-2023) Walking Drawing ink on paper Signed lower right. Biography from the Archives of askART: William Anastasi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 11, 1933. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania from 1953 to 1958. He is an artist noted for his conceptual coolness and seriously irreverent wit. For example, at the entrance to the Scott Hanson Gallery was a piece from 1967, a stick-on wall label that reads: William Anastasi b. 1933 Label 1967 Type of paper Next to it was another label that said the same thing. It was the label's label. In 1963, he started making "blind" drawings and paintings in which he covered a canvas or paper with a kind of automatic writing done with his eyes closed. The lines were long and looping and formed a tangled skein across the surface. There was a strong feeling of landscape to the drawing, the darkening of the central axis recalling a horizontal line, the linear webbing suggesting sky and sea. In addition to drawings, he had made blind and partially blind painting. The former are purely nonobjective, but colorful and bold, while the latter have letters written on them afterwards. Anastasi spent a long time at his art. He is part of a tradition that continues to challenge perceptual complacency. As an example, for one drawing, called "April 15, 1989, 32 minutes, 4B," he held a 4B pencil in each hand; with his eyes covered, he moved from one end of the room to the other for exactly 32 minutes, marking the wall in big sweeping movements as far as his arms could reach. In the same room, he made another work on the wall between the old fireplace and the window. He had picked up a stone from the sidewalk outside, and instead of drawing on the wall, he rubbed and scratched at the surface until some of the paint (and even some of the wall itself) came off. He called this kind of drawing a "wall removal." One day, he was taking a ride on the New York City subway to play chess with a friend across town. He had his drawing supplies with him, so he taped a piece of paper to a board, put the board in his lap, held a pencil in his hand touching the paper and closed his eyes. Then he let the bouncing and tilting of the subway car move the pencil. The drawing that he made on the way to see his friend was, in a way, a drawing of his trip. Anastasi's work has long been characterized by its use of tautologies, as in an early piece in which the artist showed a painting that depicted, at nearly full scale, the very wall on which it hung. At first glance, his series "The Painting of the Word Jew" appears to continue this high conceptual conceit: each object has the word "Jew" , or "Jude" painted on it. One suspects that a process of nomination is taking place, that the artist is declaring these paintings to be somehow Jewish. Here Anastasi, who is not in fact Jewish, declares himself to be so by artistic fiat. It is meant as an act of solidarity against a historical prejudice, which, for Anastasi, serves as a cipher for all prejudices. Compiled and submitted August 2004 by Jean Ershler Schatz, artist and researcher from Laguna Woods, California. Sources include: Richard Kalina, "Art in America", January 1990 Mattress Factory, Permanent Collection on the Internet. Tom McDonough in "Art in America", May 1998
Ripley Auctions
Nov. 28, 2023
William Anastasi (born 1933) Autobodyography I-III, 1994
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
William Anastasi (born 1933) Autobodyography I-III, 1994 Gelatin silver print triptych, each with credit and collection labels affixed on the frame backing; edition '1/6'. image/ sheet: each 26 1/4 x 18 1/2in. (55.6 x 47cm.) Property from the Private Collection of Barbara and Eugene Schwartz, New York Provenance: With Sandra Gering Gallery, New York
Hindman
Oct. 29, 2023
William Anastasi; Inks on Paper: Conceptual Piece
Est: $200 - $300
William Anastasi (b. 1933, Pennsylvania); Inks on Paper: Conceptual Piece, signed in pencil lower right recto, mounted to board and framed to edges of board. Height of art 8 1/4 inches (21 cm.) X width of art 11 1/2 inches (29 cm.).
Eddie's Auction
Aug. 24, 2023
William Anastasi
Est: $1,500 - $3,000
William Anastasi American, b. 1933 Subway Drawing 10/27/91, 6:40 pm, 1991 Signed William Anastasi (lr) Graphite on paper 11 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (29.2 x 28.6 cm) Provenance: Sandra Gering Gallery, New York Sheet is hinged to backing at all four corners. A smudge at lower left corner, possibly original to the work. Overall good condition.
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Mar. 15, 2023
William Anastasi American, b. 1933 Subway Drawing 10/27/91, 6:40 pm, 1991
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
William Anastasi American, b. 1933 Subway Drawing 10/27/91, 6:40 pm, 1991 Signed William Anastasi (lr) Graphite on paper 11 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (29.2 x 28.6 cm) Provenance: Sandra Gering Gallery, New York C Estate of Betty Roemer
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Mar. 15, 2023
William Anastasi American, b. 1933 Subway Drawing 10/27/91, 4:30 pm, 1991
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
William Anastasi American, b. 1933 Subway Drawing 10/27/91, 4:30 pm, 1991 Signed William Anastasi (lr) Graphite on paper 11 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (29.2 x 28.6 cm) Provenance: Sandra Gering Gallery, New York C Estate of Betty Roemer
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Jan. 01, 2023
William Joseph Anastasi (b. 1933) Graphite and Ink on Paper 2002
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
William Joseph Anastasi (b. 1933) Graphite and Ink on Paper 2002. William Joseph Anastasi (Born 1933) is active/lives in New York.William Anastasi is known for Minimalism, conceptualism, installation sculpture. Signed lower right. Excellent condition. Paper approx. 11 x 8.5 in. Mat approx.23 x 19 in.
Hughes Auctions
Nov. 28, 2022
William Anastasi (American 1933)
Est: €400 - €600
William Anastasi (American 1933) Autobodyography, 1994/2001 gelatin silver print, from the series 'Autobodyography' (2001) signed with initials 'WA' and inscribed '304 C1' (on the reverse) sheet size 40.5 x 30.5 cm.
Adams Amsterdam Auctions
Nov. 17, 2022
William Anastasi (b. 1933) The Philosophy of Drawing (diptych), 1988 Pencil on c
Est: $15,000 - $25,000
William Anastasi (b. 1933) The Philosophy of Drawing (diptych), 1988 Pencil on canvas 66-1/4 x 132 inches (168.3 x 335.3 cm) (each panel) Each panel titled or dated on the overlap, respectively: The Philosophy of Drawing / May 26, 1988 Property from the Collection of Lana & Richard Cooper, Winnetka, Illinois PROVENANCE: The artist; Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1988. HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Nov. 17, 2022
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Subway Drawings (8 works), 1989 Pencil on Arches pape
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Subway Drawings (8 works), 1989 Pencil on Arches paper 11 x 11-1/2 inches (27.9 x 29.2 cm) (sheets) One dated lower right: June 12 1989 Property from the Collection of Lana & Richard Cooper, Winnetka, Illinois PROVENANCE: The artist; Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1992. HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Nov. 17, 2022
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Yankee Doodle, 1988 Oil and pencil on canvas 73 x 140
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Yankee Doodle, 1988 Oil and pencil on canvas 73 x 140 inches (185.4 x 355.6 cm) Titled and dated on the overlap: 1988 Yankee Doodle Property from the Collection of Lana & Richard Cooper, Winnetka, Illinois HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Nov. 17, 2022
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Subway Drawings (8 works), circa 1990 Pencil on Arche
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Subway Drawings (8 works), circa 1990 Pencil on Arches paper 11-1/4 x 11-1/2 inches (28.6 x 29.2 cm) (sheets) One inscribed and dated at lower edge: SB 103-18 / Feb 23 '90 Property from the Collection of Lana & Richard Cooper, Winnetka, Illinois PROVENANCE: The artist; Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1992. HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Nov. 17, 2022
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Untitled (Inarr), circa 1988 Acrylic and oil stick on
Est: $30,000 - $50,000
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Untitled (Inarr), circa 1988 Acrylic and oil stick on canvas 103 x 215 inches (261.6 x 546.1 cm) Property from the Collection of Lana & Richard Cooper, Winnetka, Illinois HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Oct. 12, 2022
William Anastasi American, b. 1933 Subway Drawing 10/27/91, 6:40 pm, 1991
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
William Anastasi American, b. 1933 Subway Drawing 10/27/91, 6:40 pm, 1991 Signed William Anastasi (lr) Graphite on paper 11 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (29.2 x 28.6 cm) Provenance: Sandra Gering Gallery, New York C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Oct. 12, 2022
William Anastasi American, b. 1933 Subway Drawing 10/27/91, 4:30 pm, 1991
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
William Anastasi American, b. 1933 Subway Drawing 10/27/91, 4:30 pm, 1991 Signed William Anastasi (lr) Graphite on paper 11 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (29.2 x 28.6 cm) Provenance: Sandra Gering Gallery, New York C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Sep. 14, 2022
WILLIAM ANASTASI (B. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing), circa 1990s
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
WILLIAM ANASTASI (B. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing), circa 1990s signed 'William Anastasi' (lower right) graphite on paper 11 1/4 x 11 1/4 in. 28.6 x 28.6 cm. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
Bonhams
Sep. 14, 2022
WILLIAM ANASTASI (B. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing), circa 1990s
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
WILLIAM ANASTASI (B. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing), circa 1990s signed 'William Anastasi' (lower right) graphite on paper 11 1/4 x 11 1/4 in. 28.6 x 28.6 cm. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
Bonhams
Aug. 29, 2022
William Anastasi (*1933), American
Est: -
William Anastasi (*1933), American conceptual artist. Set of 6 works: the 3-part series ''Autobodygraphy'', photo prints, monogrammed by hand on verso, as well as three serigraphs with head/text motifs (minimally unfresh), hand monogrammed, 40.5 x 30.5 cm.
Historia Auctionata
Mar. 10, 2022
William Anastasi, Untitled (from Finnegans Wake)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
William Anastasi Untitled (from Finnegans Wake) 1991 graphite on aluminum 14 h × 17 w in (36 × 43 cm) This work features a word James Joyce invented for his 1939 novel Finnegans Wake meaning 'anger'. Anastasi has written extensively about James Joyce, Alfred Jarry and Marcel Duchamp and their connections. Incised signature and date to verso 'William Anastasi Mar. 1991'. Provenance: The Artist | Private Collection | Private Collection This work will ship from Rago in Lambertville, New Jersey. Condition of the item is not included in this description. Condition reports are available from Rago upon request. Rago strongly recommends that you review a condition report for each item on which you plan to bid. Email condition@ragoarts.com to request a condition report.
Rago Arts and Auction Center
Feb. 17, 2022
William Anastasi (American, b. 1933) Untitled (Bababad XI), 1988
Est: $30,000 - $50,000
William Anastasi (American, b. 1933) Untitled (Bababad XI), 1988 acrylic on canvas signed William Anastasi, titled and dated (verso) 103 x 215 inches.
Hindman
Jan. 27, 2022
William Anastasi, A Painting of a Soup Can Used to Hang Here
Est: $500 - $700
William Anastasi A Painting of a Soup Can Used to Hang Here 1991 screenprint 9 h × 13.5 w in (23 × 34 cm) Signed and numbered to verso 'W. Anastasi 237/250'. This work is number 237 from the edition of 250 published by David Lawrence Editions, Beverly Hills. This work will ship from Wright in Chicago, Illinois. condition: Please note this work has not been examined out of the frame. Sheet shows slight waviness in frame otherwise appearing in excellent condition. Framed behind glass measuring 14 x 18 x 2 inches.
Wright
Dec. 11, 2021
Anastasi, William (geb. 1933 in Philadelphia, USA)
Est: €300 - €360
Drei Photographien, 1994 - "Autobodyography", je verso monog. "WA", Hersteller: Lazarus Fine Prints, Hamburg, Griffelkunst C-Reihe Nr. 1 bis 3, 304. Wahl, IV. Quartal 2001. Blattmaße je ca. 40,5x 30,4 cm.
Dannenberg
Nov. 25, 2021
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing) signed 'William Anasta
Est: €3,000 - €5,000
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing) signed 'William Anastasi' (lower right) pencil on paper 28.5 x 28.5cm. Executed in 1987
Christie's
Nov. 25, 2021
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing) signed 'William Anasta
Est: €3,000 - €5,000
William Anastasi (b. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing) signed 'William Anastasi' (lower right) pencil on paper 28.5 x 28.5cm. Executed in 1986
Christie's
Nov. 10, 2021
William Anastasi, Untitled
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
William Anastasi Untitled 1985 graphite on paper 8.5 h × 11 w in (22 × 28 cm) Signed and dated to lower edge 'William Anastasi Sept 24 1985'. Dated to verso 'Sept 30 1985'. Provenance: Gift from the artist to the present owner This work will ship from Rago in Lambertville, New Jersey. Condition of the item is not included in this description. Condition reports are available from Rago upon request. Rago strongly recommends that you review a condition report for each item on which you plan to bid. Email condition@ragoarts.com to request a condition report.
Rago Arts and Auction Center
Jul. 21, 2021
William Anastasi (b. 1933) 10-23-11 St John's Evensong graphite and colore
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
William Anastasi (b. 1933) 10-23-11 St John's Evensong graphite and colored ink on paper 7 ½ x 11 ¼ in (19 x 28.5 cm.)
Christie's
Jun. 15, 2021
William Anastasi, Untitled
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
William Anastasi Untitled 2001 graphite and silver gel pen on copy paper 11 h × 8½ w in (28 × 22 cm) This work is featured on the cover of William Anastasi: Paintings, Small Works, Drawings, published by Galleria Emile Mazzoli, 2009. Signed, titled, dated and inscribed to verso 'Laporte 7.20.01 23:33 W. Anastasi'. Provenance: The Artist | Private Collection This work will ship from Rago in Lambertville, New Jersey. condition: Work is in very good overall condition with a slight buckling to paper, visible and raking light. Work presents well. Unframed.
Rago Arts and Auction Center
Dec. 16, 2020
William Anastasi, Untitled (two works)
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
William Anastasi Untitled (two works) 1965, 1971 dye transfer paper collage on board 9.125 h × 7.5 w in (23 × 19 cm) Additional work measures 7.25 x 6.625 inches. Signed to lower edge of each work 'Anastasi'. Dated to verso of each work 'May 1965' and 'December 1971'. Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist | Private Collection | Private Collection condition: Works are in good overall condition. Some mounting residue to verso of smaller work and dog ears to lower left corner of larger work. Works present well. Unframed.
Rago Arts and Auction Center
Oct. 01, 2020
William Anastasi, Untitled (two works)
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
William Anastasi Untitled (two works) 1965, 1971 dye transfer paper collage on board 7.5 h × 6.5 w in (19 × 17 cm) Signed to lower edge of each work 'Anastasi'. Dated to verso of each work 'May 1965' and 'December 1971'. Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist | Private Collection | Private Collection Condition of the item is not included in this description. Condition reports are available from Wright upon request. Wright strongly recommends that you review a condition report for each item on which you plan to bid. Email condition@wright20.com to request a condition report.
Wright
Jun. 14, 2020
William Anastasi, (New York, b.1933) ''Fan'' 1990, signed and numbered 2/6 verso.
Est: $500 - $700
Biography from the Archives of askART Biography photo for William Joseph Anastasi William Anastasi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 11, 1933. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania from 1953 to 1958. He is an artist noted for his conceptual coolness and seriously irreverent wit. For example, at the entrance to the Scott Hanson Gallery was a piece from 1967, a stick-on wall label that reads: William Anastasi b. 1933 Label 1967 Type of paper Next to it was another label that said the same thing. It was the label's label. In 1963, he started making "blind" drawings and paintings in which he covered a canvas or paper with a kind of automatic writing done with his eyes closed. The lines were long and looping and formed a tangled skein across the surface. There was a strong feeling of landscape to the drawing, the darkening of the central axis recalling a horizontal line, the linear webbing suggesting sky and sea. In addition to drawings, he had made blind and partially blind painting. The former are purely nonobjective, but colorful and bold, while the latter have letters written on them afterwards. Anastasi spent a long time at his art. He is part of a tradition that continues to challenge perceptual complacency. As an example, for one drawing, called "April 15, 1989, 32 minutes, 4B," he held a 4B pencil in each hand; with his eyes covered, he moved from one end of the room to the other for exactly 32 minutes, marking the wall in big sweeping movements as far as his arms could reach. In the same room, he made another work on the wall between the old fireplace and the window. He had picked up a stone from the sidewalk outside, and instead of drawing on the wall, he rubbed and scratched at the surface until some of the paint (and even some of the wall itself) came off. He called this kind of drawing a "wall removal." One day, he was taking a ride on the New York City subway to play chess with a friend across town. He had his drawing supplies with him, so he taped a piece of paper to a board, put the board in his lap, held a pencil in his hand touching the paper and closed his eyes. Then he let the bouncing and tilting of the subway car move the pencil. The drawing that he made on the way to see his friend was, in a way, a drawing of his trip. Anastasi's work has long been characterized by its use of tautologies, as in an early piece in which the artist showed a painting that depicted, at nearly full scale, the very wall on which it hung. At first glance, his series "The Painting of the Word Jew" appears to continue this high conceptual conceit: each object has the word "Jew" , or "Jude" painted on it. One suspects that a process of nomination is taking place, that the artist is declaring these paintings to be somehow Jewish. Here Anastasi, who is not in fact Jewish, declares himself to be so by artistic fiat. It is meant as an act of solidarity against a historical prejudice, which, for Anastasi, serves as a cipher for all prejudices. Compiled and submitted August 2004 by Jean Ershler Schatz, artist and researcher from Laguna Woods, California. 12 1/2""H x 10 1/4""W
Ripley Auctions
Feb. 15, 2020
William Anastasi (B. 1933) Untitled, circa 1970s
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
William Anastasi (B. 1933) Untitled, circa 1970s inscribed '7:59pm' (upper left) ink, wax crayon, colored pencil, graphite, tape and paper collage on paper 44 7/8 x 34 1/2 in. 113.9 x 87.6 cm. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
Bonhams
Feb. 15, 2020
William Anastasi (B. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing), 1986-1987
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
William Anastasi (B. 1933) Untitled (Subway Drawing), 1986-1987 signed 'William Anastasi' (lower right); indistinctly inscribed (lower right); dated 'Nov 11, 1986 Jan 18, 1987' (on the reverse) graphite on paper 11 x 11 in. 27.9 x 27.9 cm. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
Bonhams
Feb. 27, 2019
WILLIAM ANASTASI - Untitled (Subway Drawing)
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
WILLIAM ANASTASI - Untitled (Subway Drawing) Ο
Phillips
Dec. 02, 2018
WILLIAM ANASTASI (né en 1933) The Iceman, Act I, 1999 Mine de plomb sur p
Est: €2,500 - €3,000
WILLIAM ANASTASI (né en 1933) The Iceman, Act I, 1999 Mine de plomb sur papier. Signé, titré et daté 5.5.99 au dos. Loodpotlood op papier. Gesigneerd, getiteld en gedateerd 5.5.99 op de achterzijde. 23 x 31 cm
Cornette de Saint-Cyr-Bruxelles