Auction News Network

Stubbs & Gainsborough Records In London

Modern and contemporary art may be the current rage, but it was considerably older paintings that ruled last night at Christie’s in London, where a sale of Old Masters brought in $80m. With one bid of $36m, a new world record was established for a work by George Stubbs, shortly after another had been set for Thomas Gainsborough, whose “Portrait of Mrs. William Villebois” scored $10.4m.

Major Purse For Stubbs Racehorse Painting

18^th century British artist George Stubbs was known for his renderings of rural aristocratic life, and particularly his genius in depicting animals. “Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath,” his 1765 painting of a famous racehorse, is considered one of his best.  At Christie’s Old Masters & British paintings sale next week, it’s estimated to sell for $32m-$48m.

$36.7 Million Tally For Christie’s Old Masters Sale

Christie’s tally of $36.7 million for its New York Old Masters sale fell short of its $39-$56 million estimate, and its sell-through rate was just 70%. All the same, a number of works sold well above estimates at the January 26th two-session auction, at which Christie’s managed to snag two new world artists auction records.

A Titian Record At Sotheby’s

A large-scale Titian painting of the Madonna and child sold for $16.9 million at Sotheby’s Old Masters auction in New York today. Although it fell short of the $20 million high estimate, the sale set a new world auction record for the artist. Numerous other works sold well above estimates at the two-part sale, which generated $87,764,751.

Sotheby’s Old Masters Week

A multi-figure painting by Renaissance master Titian, one of the few remaining in private hands, highlights Sotheby’s Old Masters week in New York, where “Sacra Conversazione: The Madonna and Child with Saints Luke and Catherine of Alexandria” is expected to sell for $15-$20 million. Works belonging to the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Cleveland Museum of Art are also featured at the two-day sale beginning on January 26.

European Masters At Christie’s

Encouraged by the results of its Old Masters sale last month in London, which saw a lot of bidding from Asia and new markets, Christie’s is anticipating keen international interest in its massive, two-day European Masters sale in New York, beginning on January 26. Over 300 examples of 14^th-19^th century art will be offered, including a scene of Venice by Luca Carlevarijs (1663-1739) that’s expected to fetch $3.5-$4.5 million.

New World Record For Stubbs

Sotheby’s had understandably high expectations for the George Stubbs masterwork “Brood Mares and Foals.” It had remained in the same aristocratic British family collection since it was painted in 1768, and had never before been offered for sale. As it happened, the painting sold for just over its low estimate, but even so the $15.94 million it fetched at yesterday’s Old Masters & British Paintings sale in London was a new world auction record for Stubbs.

World Records At Christie’s Old Masters Sale

Carrying an estimate of $22.2-$31 million, a masterwork by Poussin had been the anticipated top lot at Christie’s Old Master & 19^th Century art sale in London today. Although it failed to find a buyer, 9 other works sold for over $1 million, and 6 new world auction artist records were set on the way to a $39 million result.

Whistler’s “Nocturne” Sets Print Record

At Swann’s two-day print sale this week, James A.M. Whistler’s etching, “Nocturne”(1879-80), sold for $282,000, a new world auction record for a Whistler print. It was also the highest price ever fetched by a print at Swann’s.

Turner Impresses At Sotheby’s

An 1839 landscape by J.M.W. Turner sold for a staggering $44.9 million at Sotheby’s Old Masters sale, which realized a hefty $81.3 million, easily eclipsing the results of its rival, Christie’s. Turner’s “Modern Rome – Camp Vaccino” realized almost double its high estimate. Nothing else in the sale registered the same impact, although works by Peter Brueghel the Younger and Jan Blievens each sold for $3.81 million.

Rubens Highlights Solid Old Masters Sale At Christie’s

With the sale of a $13.7 million Rubens leading the way, Christie’s realized a healthy $64.3 million in its London sale of Old Master and 19^th century paintings. The price for “Portrait Of A Commander,” formerly owned by the family of Princess Diana, was the second highest ever paid for a Rubens at auction. A remarkable eight other artist records were set during the evening, in which some 70% of the offerings were sold.

Something For Everyone

Christie’s will be offering a huge jumble of art on April 20, 2010, in New York under the heading of “500 Years: Decorative Arts Europe.” The idea was big hit in London and Paris, and generates a diverse catalog that might entice buyers who had not considered some of the lots offered until they see them.

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