PARIS— On July 2, Christie’s Paris is offering more than 80 modern and postwar items from the collection of the late American sculptor Mary Callery. The daughter of a wealthy banker, Callery moved to Paris in 1930 at age 27 after studying at the Art Students League of New York. In France, she befriended such artists as Fernand Léger and Frank Stella, whose works are among those on offer. Consigned by the estate of Callery’s niece Marcella Korff, the lots range from sculpture and paintings to prints and other works on paper. All display Callery’s "visionary eye as a collector," says Christie’s specialist Jean-Olivier Desprès. Among the standouts are an untitled work, circa 1967, by Stella and Hans Arp’s circa 1924 wood assemblage Horloge, each estimated to fetch between €400,000 and €600,000 ($544-816,000). Two pieces by Callery’s close friend Picasso also go on the block, including the 1948 print Tête de taureau, tournée à gauche (est. €7,000-10,000; $9,500-14,000).

"Dedicated Artist" originally appeared in the July/August 2009 issue of Art+Auction. For a complete list of articles from this issue available on ARTINFO, see Art+Auction's July/August 2009 Table of Contents.