Widely regarded as one of the leading abstractionists of his generation, American artist Frank Stella passed away on May 4 at age 87. A master at creating narratives through minimalist geometries and bold use of color, the artist conceived transfixing paintings and sculptures that are in the permanent collections of such esteemed institutions as the Tate Gallery in London and New York’s Museum of Modern Art—the latter of which hosted Stella’s 1970 solo exhibition when was just 34, the youngest artist to ever receive such an honor.
In 2015 (the same year as his Whitney Museum retrospective), Stella doubled the previous auction record for one of his pieces, with Sotheby’s selling a crimson canvas titled Delaware Crossing for $13.7 million. Since then, Galerie has spotlighted a handful of collectors who count Stella’s paintings among their holdings. See below for a look at how they can transform a space.
The sofa is by DDC, a bird’s-nest sculpture by Björn Braun sits on an Yves Klein cocktail table, and the silver sculpture is by Sanford Biggers; the wall sculpture is by Frank Stella, and the hemp wall covering is by Phillip Jeffries. Photo: William Waldron
1. A wall sculpture from Frank Stella’s 1973 Suchowola series anchors the living room in art dealer Marianne Boesky’s Manhattan apartment, which was renovated by architect Deborah Berke. The periwinkle sofa is by DDC, while a bird’s-nest sculpture by Björn Braun sits on an Yves Klein cocktail table, and the silver sculpture is by Sanford Biggers.
A 1968 painting from Frank Stella’s “Protractor” series presides over the living area in collector Laurie Tisch’s Palm Beach oceanfront apartment, where architect Lee F. Mindel of the firm SheltonMindel designed a partition with lacquer panels and custom lighting to display the work. The sofas, both upholstered in a Perennials fabric, are by Serena & Lily, and the arcing 1930s Swedish floor lamp is from PRB. Photo: MICHAEL MORAN
2. A 1968 painting from Frank Stella’s Protractor series presides over the living area in collector Laurie Tisch’s Palm Beach oceanfront apartment, where architect Lee F. Mindel of the firm SheltonMindel designed a partition with lacquer panels and custom lighting to display the work. The sofas, both upholstered in a Perennials fabric, are by Serena & Lily, and the arcing 1930s Swedish floor lamp is from PRB.
The living room of Bernar Venet’s residence in the south of France. Photo: Ricardo Labougle
3. Esteemed sculptor Bernar Venet’s residence in the South of France features Stella’s Parzeczew III, a work on cardboard, hanging next to a sculptural steel table and chairs crafted by Venet.
The museum-like Miami home of megacollector Martin Margulies. Photo: NICHOLAS MELE
4. Powerhouse collector Martin Margulies’s Miami estate features a head-spinning trove of blue-chip art. From left is Frank Stella’s Bene Come il Sale, Number Two by Brice Marden, and Western Deep, also by Stella. F*g Asterisks by John Chamberlain overlooks Igloo by Mario Merz.
A Palm Beach residence designed by Aman & Meeks. Photo: Douglas Friedman
5. A Frank Stella painting dominates the foyer of this Bermuda-style Palm Beach residence conjured by Aman & Meeks. The chandelier is by Alexander von Eikh, the 18th-century Swedish bench is from H. M. Luther, and the bicycle is by Lilly Pulitzer.
A two-part Frank Stella painting dominates a living room by Madeline Stuart. Photo: Trevor Tondro
6. A two-part Frank Stella painting animates a Los Angeles living room masterminded by designer Madeline Stuart. A curvy Brice Marden abstraction on the adjacent wall overlooks a pair of 1940s Italian armchairs from Karl Kemp upholstered in a Classic Cloth linen velvet, while a Jerry Pair leather covers Lee Calicchio stools. On the tables flanking the sofa are an Ibo figure from Nigeria and a sculpture by Claes Oldenburg.
A work by Frank Stella presides over the living room, where custom-made sofas and an ottoman by Luther Quintana surround a Moroccan cocktail table; the upholstery, accent pillows, and curtains are all Holly Hunt fabrics, and the rug is by Beauvais Carpets. Photo: ERIC PIASECKI. STYLED BY PHILIPPA BRATHWAITE
7. A work by Frank Stella presides over the living room of a Hamptons home by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Dara Stern, where custom-made sofas and an ottoman by Luther Quintana surround a Moroccan cocktail table; the upholstery, accent pillows, and curtains are all Holly Hunt fabrics, and the rug is by Beauvais Carpets.
