Skip to main content
Go to accessibility notice
Home / Art & Antiques / 2015 October 28 Modern & Contemporary Art Part I : New York Signature Auction - New York Auction #5262 / Lot #69028
For Art and Antique Auctions, standard shipments are being delayed 2-4 weeks due to increased safety procedures and vendor and carrier slowdowns. As soon as your order ships, you will receive a tracking number.
    LOT #69028  | 
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items)

    Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
    • Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items)
    • Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items)
    • Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items)
    • Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items)
    • Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items)
    Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items) Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items) Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items) Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items) Paintings, Mel Ramos (b. 1935). A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962. Oil on canvas. 18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm... (Total: 3 Items) View More >
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Make Offer: Make Offer to Owner
    $242,200 or more

    This item's owner is actively responding to offers, usually within 3 days. Most owners in this category are still actively buying, and therefore interested only in offers where they can net (after our 10% fee) an amount sufficiently above today's market value. Owners in this category seldom counter-offer, and will usually simply reject offers placed at current auction values or lower.

    View Recent Offers on Sold Items in this category
    Claim Item:
    View Condition Report
    Track Item Share this lot

    Sell One of These Currency Converter

    Description

    Mel Ramos (b. 1935)
    A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962
    Oil on canvas
    18-3/8 x 13-1/4 inches (46.7 x 33.7 cm)
    Signed, titled, and dated verso and on stretcher: 1962 "A Sinister Figure / Lurks in the Shadows" / By Mel Ramos

    PROVENANCE:
    The artist;
    Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1960s.

    Since the early 60s California artist Mel Ramos has been fascinated with popular culture and mass media icons. Appropriating cartoons as the subject matter for his art, he quickly became the representative of all West Coast Pop. In his first mature body of work, Ramos painted a series of superheroes, including the most beloved and mysterious of all: Batman. Held in a private collection for many years, A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows has been missing from public view until this time.

    Ramos renders Batman with strong impasto and dramatic brushstrokes, indicating the impending action and sharp instincts of our hero. Immersing us into his fantastical world and placing our omnipotent hero against a fleshy, cream-colored background, Ramos brings Batman to life, ready for action.

    Although he used images from popular culture, like other early Pop artists, Ramos also considered himself an Expressionist. He held a strong belief that the artist's hand must be present in the finished product. With this in mind, he skillfully rendered the comic superheroes by mastering hyper-expressive gestures. His paintings combine the styles of the artists he most admired: the Abstract Expressionist style of Willem de Kooning with the colorful, thick strokes of Wayne Thiebaud. Ramos continually explored how high and low art intersected. He transformed popular figures such as these superheroes into his own hand-made, unique objects.

    A lover of comic books, Ramos decided early in his career that he would paint the subjects he grew up with. In fact, in the early 60s, Ramos loved superheroes so much that he traded A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows for even more comic books. The current owner, Bill Steinfelt has held onto the painting ever since. Mr. Steinfelt wasn't aware of the tremendous value of his trade until earlier this year.

    Heritage is pleased to offer this important piece of history at auction. This painting of Batman epitomizes the truly incredible talent of Mel Ramos and the invincibility of all the comic book heroes we love.

    More information about Mel Ramos, also known as Ramos, Mel, Ramos, Melvin John, Mel Ramos.



    Condition Report*: This work is in very good condition.  Unlined original canvas; faint stretcher creases; a few areas with craquelure, most notably at figure's upper right shoulder; two original miniscule abrasions with associated flecks of paint loss below figure's right eye have been professionally inpainted; some very spots of minor surface dirt commensurate with age; under UV exam, there appears to be a dirty varnish layer within the figure's black cape, but no additional inpainting visible. Framed Dimensions 19.875 X 14.625 Inches
    *Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.

    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    October, 2015
    28th Wednesday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 12
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 21,173

    Buyer's Premium per Lot:
    25% on the first $100,000 (minimum $14), plus 20% of any amount between $100,000 and $1,000,000, plus 12% of any amount over $1,000,000 per lot.

    Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
    This item cannot be shipped using standard methods. Please contact us for more information. Sales Tax information

    Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More

    Terms and Conditions  |  Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments |  Glossary of Terms

    Viewing at %
    Please enter a value between % and 100% and press your "Enter" key. Close
    Fit to screen View Full Size Brightness
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Track Item
    Coming soon:

    Jewelry & Timepieces
    Opens about 01/22/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 01/20/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 01/21/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 01/29/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 01/27/2021

    Currency
    Opens about 01/25/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 02/03/2021

    Photography
    Opens about 02/03/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 02/05/2021

    Historical
    Opens about 02/08/2021

    Sports Collectibles
    Opens about 02/05/2021

    World & Ancient Coins
    Opens about 02/01/2021

    Currency
    Opens about 02/01/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 02/10/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 02/11/2021

    Jewelry & Timepieces
    Opens about 02/19/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 02/08/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 02/18/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 02/18/2021

    Western & Texas Art
    Opens about 02/19/2021

    Comics & Comic Art
    Opens about 02/19/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 02/12/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 02/23/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 02/24/2021

    Nature & Science
    Opens about 02/26/2021

    Heritage membership

    Join Now - It's Free

    VIEW BENEFITS
    1. Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
    2. Bid online
    3. Free Collector newsletter
    4. Want List with instant e-mail notifications
    5. Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
      winnings 
    Consign now
    • Cash Advances
    • More Bidders
    • Trusted Experts
    • Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
    Only 43 days left to consign to the 2021 May 13 Silver & Vertu Signature Auction - Dallas!

    Learn about consigning with us

    From the preview party to the last lot to go under the hammer, everything was done in a remarkably professional manner.
    Richard de Thuin,
    Waldoboro, ME
    View More Testimonials

    HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)

    Video tutorial

    Getting the most out of search