The results of the auction of Impressionist and Modern Christie's
Details of the biggest trades of the season
Last Wednesday, November 3, house Christie's held in New York evening sale of Impressionist and Modern works . The result amounted to 231.4 million dollars (preliminary estimate 198,3-286,6 million dollars). Of the 84 lots remained unsold 17 (20 percent). More than a million dollars yielded 43 papers, of which ten went for amounts in excess of five million. For comparison: a similar auction last year ended with a score of 65.6 million dollars.
 HENRY Matisse nude from behind IV. 1978 Source: |
With regard to ethnic composition of buyers, there was dominated by Americans (45%of purchased lots), followed by Europeans (31%) Asians (6%) and collectors from other parts of the world (18 %).
Modernism in the auction enjoyed far greater success than the "impressionistic" lots, which pulled down quite calmly, without any special stir. Considerable revival caused only some work, in particular a group of five works by Georges Seurat (Georges Seurat), whose work is referred to as neo-impressionism. His pencil sketch "Walking" (circa 1882) bought for 3.3 million dollars (estimate 1,5-2,5 million).
Another graphic work for which erupted "War rates," - "Man and Woman (Embrace)" Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele (Egon Schiele). Winner of the American dealer Robert Mnukhin (Robert Mnuchin) paid for the drawing 7.4 million (preliminary estimate was 4-6 million). Last seen working at an auction in 2001 (London Sotheby's; amount of sales - 2.6 million dollars).
2010 is sure to be remembered as the year of the incredible prices on the masterpieces of modernist sculpture. Even at the peak of the art boom, prices in this category did not reach $ 30 million, and in February of this year's sculpture « Walking man "Giacometti (cast, incidentally, in the amount of six copies) was sold for 104.3 million. The next big deal not long in coming: « Head "Amedeo Modigliani (Amedeo Modigliani) in June, went at auction for 52.7 million. Trend consolidated Christie's: top-lot auction on November 3 was bronze relief by Henri Matisse (Henri Matisse) titled "Nude with Back IV », sold for 48.8 million dollars (the buyer was an eminent dealer Larry Gagosian (Larry Gagosian)). The work that Christie's experts estimated at 25-35 million dollars, was cast after the death of Matisse in 1978. It is worth noting that Modigliani, for example, enjoyed similar success only "lifetime" instances. The sum of 48.8 million was a record for the artist.
 Juan Gris The violin and guitar. 1913 Source: |
Another record - 28.6 million for the painting "Violin and Guitar" cubist Juan Gris (Juan Gris). Estimate of this rare paintings, dating back to 1913, amounted to 18-25 million. It is known that the painting was already a guaranteed buyer.
At the auction was in abundance Fernand Leger (Fernand Léger), three paintings, which included the ten most expensive. Among them - "Cup of Tea" (1921), pushed for 8.1 million dollars in assessing the 8-12 million. The previous owner was a picture of IT-pioneer Max Palevsky (Max Palevsky). at Christie's was put up nine works from his collection ; together they brought 23.5 million dollars (estimate 23,1-34,5 million). Another Leger in the collection was bought by a dealer Palevsky Daniela Luxembourg (Daniella Luxembourg) for 6,4 million.
Top-10 evening auction Christie's3 November 2010 ( New York) The Art of Impressionist and Modern »
| Lot | Description | Estimate, of millions of dollars | Room, dollars | buyer |
| 65 | Henri Matisse (1869-1954) | 25-35 | 48802500 | Gallery Gagosian Gallery Inc |
| 23 | Juan Gris (1887 -1927) | 18-25 | 28642500 | anonymous buyer from Europe |
| 25 | Joan Miro (1893-1983) | 12-18 | 10330500 | art dealer from Europe |
| 64 | Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966) | 8-12 | 10274500 | private buyer |
| 39 | Fernand Leger (1881-1955) | 8-12 | 8,146,500 | private buyer |
| 17 | Fernand Leger (1881-1955) | 3,5-6,5 | 7,922,500 | Art Dealer |
| 22 | Egon Schiele (1890-1918) | 4-6 | 7,362,500 | Gallery L & M Arts |
| 37 | Fernand Leger (1881-1955) | 5-7 | 6,354,500 | Luxembourg Art Limited |
| 26 | Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) | 5-7 | 6,130,500 | art dealer in the U.S. |
| 7 | Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894) | 5-7 | 5,122,500 | art dealer in the U.S. |
Sources: Press Release Christie's, , artinvestment.ru
