Alberto Giacometti’s Chariot is estimated to achieve more than $100 million at Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern evening sale in New York on November 4. It is considered to be the masterwork of his career and a seminal achievement of modern art. The bronze depicts a goddess frozen in motion on her large wheeled chariot. It was conceived in 1950 and cast in 1951-52. This example, set apart by its gold patina, is one of the only two casts in private hands and is the first Chariot to appear at auction in 30 years. Six casts of the piece, which has its origins in Surrealism, were made during his lifetime.
The sale will feature the finest still life by Van Gogh to appear on the market in decades. Still Life, Vase with Daisies and Poppies is estimated at $30-50 million. Amadeo Modigliani’s Tete is estimated to make more than $45 million. Exhibited at the Paris Salon d’Automne in 1912 it has never before been offered at auction. It was quarried from a single block of limestone. Modigliani found these on construction sites around Paris – including work on the Paris Metro. He carted them back by wheelbarrow to his studio in Montparnasse.
Alberto Giacometti – Chariot. UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $101 MILLION.
Amadeo Modigliani – Tete UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $70.7 MILLION
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for September 29, 2014)