Almost all the top auction lots were sold, though not so high prices, which organizers had hoped

Yesterday in New York was auction of contemporary and postwar art Sotheby's , which were exhibited works by Yves Klein (Yves Klein), Roy Lichtenstein (Roy Lichtenstein), Gaston, Philip (Philip Guston) and other artists. Trading Results to estimeyta not dotyanuli. It was expected that Sotheby's will bring 202-280 million dollars, but managed to collect just 125 million. Nevertheless, it was found a few personal records.

Organizers had hoped that the blue image object Yves Klein «Arhigubka (RE 11)» able to bring more than 25 million dollars and become the most expensive work of the artist, but give so much money even for a very interesting product, no one wanted . «Arhigubka» went for 21.3 million, a record of 23.6 million (including Buyer's premium).

performance Sotheby's and Christie's, held in October and November, serve as an excellent proof of the following thesis: in times of crisis, people are hunted primarily for exceptional works, works of the museum, which is very rarely appear on the market. This is exemplified, of course, the recent an auction of works of the Impressionists and modernists Sotheby's , where the new owners are found masterpieces Kazimir Malevich , by Edgar Degas (Edgar Degas), and Edvard Munch (Edvard Munch), as well as auction Christie's , where for a record price was sold to a rare kubisticheskaya work GRIS, Juan (Juan Gris). At the auction November 11, acted the same rule. This record sums have pictures Gaston, Philip (Philip Guston), John Karrina (John Currin) and Richard Serra (Richard Serra) .

Paintings Gaston in the style of abstract expressionism, he had written in the 1950's, rarely appear at auction. But when they did, you can catch it, they sold for large sums. Cloth «Joy beggar» lasted for 10 million dollars, while the previous record for the artist's works was 7.2 million. The impression, however, подпортило that painting was estimated at 15 million. The crisis ...

Cloth John Karrina Nice 'n Easy ( «Good and easy») with the image of two naked girls went for 5.5 million dollars, with estimeyte of 3,5-4,5 million. Painting Karrina appears at public auction rare. This American artist, famous grotesque paintings with provocative scenes in the creation of his works inspired by Renaissance paintings, the American magazine illustration of the 1950's and photographs depicting anoreksichnyh models. In the image nudity as it is cruel, as Lusien Freud (Lucian Freud). By the way, according to memoirs Karrina, in childhood, he studied painting with a Soviet artist-immigrant.

The sculptures of Richard Serra, renowned throughout the world, but appreciated at auctions is not very expensive. It is quite understandable: the artist is known primarily giant installations that are at home does not deliver. Relatively little of the Serra, which appear at auction, decoration does not name: they are too harsh. His sculpture «12-4-8» had 1.6 million dollars with estimeyte to 2-3 million. The previous record for the works of Serra, was 1.3 million.

November 11, were put up for sale 63 lots, of which 43 found buyers. Among the unsold lots was the most prominent Roy Lichtenstein canvas «Gender-face with the collar», adorned the cover of the catalog. His estimeyt was 15-20 million. The same fate befell the sculpture Liechtenstein «Five strokes brush», estimated at 6-8 million. The picture of our fellow Erik Bulatov «New York II» has been withdrawn from auction.

The most active buyers of November 11 were Americans, although the auction was attended by Europeans. By trading began to prepare in the summer, when the economic situation (and the situation on the art market) has been very different. Hence, such high estimeyty. The market, which over the past two years has increased by more than 250 percent, there has been a correction in prices. The amount of 125 million dollars, which had bid on 11 November, sends us back in 2006, when the November auction of postwar and contemporary art Sotheby's had the same number.

Material prepared Yulia Maksimova

Sources: artdaily.org , artinvestment.ru