Artist: Ed Ruscha
Estimate: $2 million to $3 million
Through the mid-1960s, Ruscha became known for toying with the ideas of literal representation and the absurd. He highlights our difference from the animal by telling us through written words that the contents of the cup are plaster, not milk. Without his description, we too would have been fooled.There could be any number of reasons for Minor to have an auction now, but given what's known about the affairs of his businesses and investments, raising money is likely to be at least part of the reason he is selling many notable works he acquired over the years. But it's the ones that Minor didn't buy that are causing him the biggest headache, leading to lawsuits between the entrepreneur and top auction houses. (Reached by email, Minor would only say that the publicly available information was wrong, but he wouldn't provide any other specifics.)
NEXT: Loss of the Lisbon Rhinoceros, 2008
Last updated June 01 2010: 2:17 PM ET