In addition to record sales of El Greco's evening auction of Old Masters Christie's and Sotheby's July 2 and 3 also showed good results for works by Canaletto, Peter Paul Rubens, Claude Joseph Vernet and Rachel Ruysch

London evening auction of Old Masters Christie's and Sotheby's brought a total of 59 million pounds (89.3 million dollars). At Christie's overall statistics are slightly worse than those of rival Sotheby's. On July 2 evening auction at Christie's sold 36 works of 52 proposed (69%). Christie's overall result was 23.8 million pounds (62%of the average total estimate). At Sotheby's auction on July 3 fared better: of the 47 lots have been sold to 37 (almost 79%), while total revenue reached 35 million pounds (90.7%of the average total estimate). The success of Sotheby's, for the most part have provided some record sales. And chief among them - selling paintings of El Greco's "Prayer of St. Dominic" for 9.15 million pounds ($ 14 million).

El Greco Prayer of St. Dominic Around 1600-1610 Oil on canvas. 75 x 58 Sotheby's. 3.07.2013 Estimate: 3-5 million pounds Result: 9.15 million pounds Source: sothebys.com

El Greco Christ on the cross Oil on canvas. 177 x 105 Sotheby's. 3.07.2013 Estimate: 3-5 million pounds Result: 3.4 million pounds Source: sothebys.com

painting" Prayer of St. Dominic "El Greco , who visited the pre-show at Sotheby's in Moscow , appeared at a public auction for the first time. It is the best for the last 10 years, the work of El Greco at auctions, it is not surprising that it has reached a record hammer price. The picture comes from the collection of Dr. Gustav Rau, one of the greatest collectors of the twentieth century, even before it was owned by the Marques de Adam (Madrid). The proceeds from the sale of "Prayer of St. Dominic" means (this is referred to 9.15 million pounds) will go in favor of the German UNICEF Committee. This, incidentally, was not the only work of El Greco at yesterday's auction Sotheby's. For 3.4 million pounds ($ 5.2 million) was sold painting of El Greco's "Christ on the Cross" (estimate 3-5 million pounds).

Canaletto Like, Venice, view from square San Marco. 1730 Oil on canvas. 68,8 x 112,7 Christie's. 2.07.2013 Estimate: 4-6 million pounds Result: 8.4 million pounds Source: christies.com

Claude Joseph Vernet View of Avignon from the right bank of the Rhone. 1756 Oil on canvas. 99 x 182,7 Sotheby's. 3.07.2013 Estimate: 3-5 million pounds Result: Result: 5.3 million pounds Source: sothebys.com

Among the top lots of the auction Old Masters Christie's and Sotheby's have also included two large-scale landscape. The most expensive work at Christie's was the landscape brush Canaletto "Like, Venice, view from the Piazza San Marco": while the estimate of 4-6 million pounds it sold for 8.4 million pounds (12.9 million dollars). Established in the 1730s, at the height of his creative career Canaletto, this work belongs to the species of the famous series of Venetian landmarks. Bathed in the glow of daylight in the building transferred to the smallest detail, enliven the scene depicted in the foreground of a crowd of people and boats floating in the water. The largest in a series of views of the pier from the Piazza San Marco painting was purchased by Edward Howard, 9th Duke of Norfolk (1686-1777), patron of the arts of his time. In the property of the descendants of the Duke painting was until the 1970's. And at Sotheby's became a star "View of Avignon from the right bank of the Rhone," French painter of the XVIII century by Claude Joseph Vernet . This is the only landscape of his native city Vernet Avignon. While the estimate 3-5 million pounds of the picture does not appear at a public auction last 200 years, has found a new owner for 5.3 million pounds (8.1 million dollars).

Rachel Ruysch Roses, tulips, sunflowers and other flowers with insects in a glass vase. 1710 Oil on canvas. 88,9 x 71,1 Sotheby's. 3.07.2013 Estimate: 1-1,5 million pounds Result: 1.65 million pounds Source: christies.com

Peter Paul Rubens A bearded man in profile, holding a bronze statuette Christie's. 2.07.2013 Estimate: 1.5-2.5 million pounds Result: 1.74 million pounds Source: sothebys.com

proposed by Sotheby's Rachel Ruysch Still Life 'Roses, tulips, sunflowers and other flowers with insects in a glass vase "in 1710 became the most expensive work of the artist: When assessing 1-1.5 million pounds picture was bought for 1.65 million pounds (2.5 million dollars). works written by the court painter Johann Wilhelm Elector Palatine, was considered lost and was not present more than 100 years. once owned the painting Gottfried Winkler (1731-1795) from Leipzig, and the fourth Marquis of Bute from England. Ruysch - one of the most famous artists of the second half of XVII - beginning of XVIII century - continued to paint up to 83 years and, in addition, was the mother of 10 children.

Another the top lot at Christie's was the sketch by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) "A bearded man in profile, holding a bronze statuette," written in one of the most productive phases of his work, the artist shortly after his return to Antwerp from Italy. This is a sketch for a large-scale painting "The Adoration of the Magi" by Rubens created for the church of St. John in Mehelne. Since 1719 the work in the collection of Schoenborn - a German princely houses who have made a significant contribution to the cultural history of Germany. Picture rating 1.5-2.5 million pounds bought for 1.74 million pounds (2.65 million dollars).

Top 10 lots of evening auctions "Old Masters and British art»
Christie ' s, London, July 2, 2013
Sotheby' s, London, July 3, 2013

№	Job Description	Estimate, million pounds	result, millions of pounds	Auction	Buyer
1	EL GRECO Prayer of St. Dominic. Around 1600-1610 world auction record for the artist's works	3-5	9,154	Sotheby's, London , 3.07.2013	private collector, Europe
2	Like Canaletto, Venice, view from the Piazza San Marco. 1730 th	4-6	8,462	Christie's, London, 2.07.2013	anonymous buyer
3	Claude Joseph Vernet Avignon with a view the right bank of the Rhone. 1756	3-5	5,346	Sotheby's, London, 3.07.2013	Anonymous User
4	El Greco Christ on the cross	3-5	3,442	Sotheby's, London, 3.07.2013	private collector, Europe
5	Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo family of Porto Famous acts of Vicenza. Around 1760 world auction record for the artist's works	3-5	3,218	Sotheby's, London, 3.07.2013	private collector
6	PETER PAUL RUBENS bearded man in profile, holding a bronze statue	1,5-2,5	1,74	Christie's, London, 2.07.2013	anonymous buyer
7	Rachel Ruysch Roses, tulips, sunflowers and other flowers with insects in a glass vase. 1710 world auction record for the artist's works	1 -1,5	1,65	Sotheby's, London, 3.07.2013	Buyers from the UK
8	SALOMON Van Ruisdael View Valkhofa in Nijmegen from the West, with the boat across the river Waal. 1647	1-1,5	1,2	Sotheby's, London, 3.07.2013	private collector, U.S.
9	Dosso Dossi Jupiter and Semele world auction record for the artist's works	0,15-0,2	1,142	Sotheby's, London, 3.07.2013	anonymous buyer
10	Lucas Cranach the Elder Christ on the cross	0,5-0,8	1,137	Christie's, London, 2.07.2013	private collector

Prepared by Mary Onuchina, AI

Sources : Press Release Christie's, the press release Sotheby's, artinvestment.ru