Auction News Network

Phillips’ ‘Evening Edition’ Highlights Print

It’s a stellar lineup for Phillips de Pury’s ‘Evening Edition’ auction of prints on October 26^th, with works by Lucien Freud, Francis Bacon, Agnes Martin, Damien Hirst, and Andy Warhol. Top estimated lot at $120,000-$180,000 is Roy Lichtenstein’s relief print in colors, “Roommates from Nude Series, 1994.”

Ned Tate Art Hoax Painting At Sotheby’s

It started as a hoax: back in 1998 author William Boyd published a biography of one Nat Tate (1928-1960), a supposed postwar abstract expressionist, whose work deserved serious reevalutation. Some, like David Bowie, who hosted a publication party, were in on the caper. Others, who should have known better, bought into the fiction, claiming to have seen his work or even to have met him. Now Sotheby’s is taking the ruse further, offering one of “Tate’s” works at its Modern & Post-war British Art sale on November 16th in London, where it’s expected to fetch $4700-$7900.

Allan Stone Collection At Sotheby’s

Lawyer turned art dealer Allan Stone (1932-2006) was as well known for his passionate collecting as his gallery. He was drawn to a vast range of material, from primative, folk, and “junk” art, to Bugatti automobiles and the works of Wayne Thibaud and Willem de Kooning. When Sotheby’s sold the bulk of Stone’s collection last spring in a two-part sale, it realized $54.8m. On September 23 in New York, the auction house will offer the third and last part. Wayne Thibaud’s “Standing Man,” estimated at $1.2-1.8m, is likely to be the event’s top seller.

Contemporary Art’s Biggest Buyer? It Will Surprise You

Who’s acquired the most –and most valuable—modern and contemporary art in recent years? Hint: it’s not the Chinese or Russians, who’ve been getting most of the press attention. Rather, its buyers from oil-rich Qatar. Often acting through intermediaries such as French agent Philippe Segalot, collectors from the Gulf state have been behind the purchases of the $400m Sonnabend estate, a $310m collection of Rothkos,, and Andy Warhol’s $63.4m “The Men In Her Life,” to name just a few.

New Space, Prime Basquiat

Phillips de Pury kicks off its new space at Claridge’s London with a Contemporary Art sale later this month. Of the 32 lots in the evening event, the star is a rare 1985 Jean-Michel Basquiat ‘Self-Portrait’ diptyk, estimated at $3.2m-$4.9m. In all, Phillips expects to realize $16.4m-$23.7m from the auction.

Christie’s To Offer Rothko Discovery

Until recently, Mark Rothko was believed to have produced 835 works. As it happens, however, there’s apparently another. “Untitled #17 is a large 1961 oil that the owner purchased from the artist in 1965, since which time it hasn’t been on public view. The 7-foot painting will be the highlight at Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art sale in New York on May 11, when it’s expected to fetch $18m-$22m.

Rare Freud Comes To Market

Lucian Freud completed just one portrait, “Woman Smiling,” of his former wife (and student) Suzy Boyt, with whom he had five children. Completed in 1958-59, it’s considered a landmark — a turning point in his career toward the expressionist style for which he’s best known. Christie’s will offer the painting in June at its Post-War and Contemporary Art Auction, where it’s expected to sell for $5.6-$7.2m.

Christie’s Will Sell Jeffrey Archer’s Art

Jeffrey Archer has been a man of many parts: best-selling author, member of British Parliament, lifetime peer, convicted felon. And art collector. Now that he’s turned 70, Archer said he’s winnowing his collection, from which Christie’s London will offer 150 works, expected to bring in some $8 million.

Warhol Leads Christie’s To $98.8 Million Result

Christie’s sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art may have lacked the theatre of the Sotheby’s auction the previous night, when a gaggle of demonstrators protested the “Orgy of the Rich.” All the same, the London sale earlier today didn’t lack for drama. Dealer Larry Gagosian paid $17.4 million, more than twice the high estimate, for an Andy Warhol self-portrait, in private hands since 1974.

A “Rediscovered” Warhol

Much of the biggest art world news of 2010 concerned the huge prices claimed by works of contemporary art, in particular those by Andy Warhol. Christie’s hopes to tap into that trend at its London Post-War and Contemporary Art sale on February 16, when it will offer a “rediscovered” Warhol self-portrait, in private hands since 1974. The massive painting is expected to bring in $4.7-$7.8 million.

20th Century Masterworks At Sotheby’s

In effect, the collection that Sotheby’s will offer next month in London is a superb survey of 20^th century art. Assembled over 30 years by a private collector, “Looking Closely” includes 60 modern and contemporary European works by such artists as Dali, Modigliani, Klee, Giacometti, Bacon, and Freud.

Christie’s To Offer Dennis Hopper Collection

Alongside his career as a celebrated actor and director, the late Dennis Hopper pursued a parallel course as a photographer and collector.  Back in November, as part of its 2010 Post-War and Contemporary Art auctions, Christie’s offered more than 30 works from the actor’s collection, realizing $12.8 million. On January 11-12, Christie’s will offer a second installment of nearly 300 more items owned by Hopper. Update:

A Warhol screenprint portrait of Mao with two bullet holes, estimated at $20-$30,000, sold for $302,500, more than 10 times its estimate.

Outstanding Sales in 2010

Deep-pocketed new Asian buyers flooded the auction market, and investors sought hedges against uncertain financial instruments; bidders from Russia and other oil-rich nations made an imprint, and worldwide deep-pocketed collectors found opportunity. Together, they accounted for a lively recovery in the auction markets. Check out some highlights from our coverage during a remarkable auction year.

$1.1 Billion In Art Sales

Last week’s flagship art auctions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s generated about $1.1 billion in sales, a result that matched the $1.1 billion tally for the firms’s marquis art auctions last May.  While the prices didn’t match the boom time results of three years ago, the magnitude of the sales would suggest that the art market’s recovery is in place, and prices are stabilizing.

Phillips’ New Room Breaks House Record

Phillips opened its new Park Avenue salesroom Monday night with an auction curated by Phillipe Segalot, now a private dealer who wrangled 33 lots for the sale. They sold for a total of $117 million, about $12 million more than expected.