Christie’s high hopes for its Impressionist & Modern Art auction in London earlier today were reflected by its heady pre-sale estimates, the second highest ever for its annual February sale. As it happened, however, the evening auction’s most highly anticipated lot, Gauguin’s “Nature Morte a Esperance,” which had carried an estimate of $11.3-16.1 million, failed to find a buyer.
Instead, the top seller was Pierre Bonnard’s “Terrasse a Vernon,” which brought in a record $11.5 million, almost doubling its high estimate, as did Picasso’s “Sur l’imperiale traversant la Seine” which fetched $7.8 million. The $8.8 million that Edgar Degas’ “Danseuses jupes jaunes” brought in also bettered its high estimate, and Andre Derain’s “Bateau a Collioure” sold well at $9.46 million, just shy of its high estimate..
Read more at the BBC.
