Led by two icons of modern sculpture Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art sale totalled $422.1 million in New York last night. The highest result for any auction in Sotheby’s history was led by Giacometti’s Chariot which achieved $101 million and Modigliani’s Tete which made $70.7 million, a new auction record for the artist. Van Gogh’s Still Life, Vase with Daisies and Poppies sold for $61.8 million. Bidders from 40 countries registered for the sale, with the highest proportion from the US, Europe and Asia, the new home for the Van Gogh still life.
A total of 12 sculptures brought in $191 million. Three works by Claude Monet totalled $61.9 million led by Alice Hoschedé au jardin which sold for $33.7 million.
Simon Shaw, Co-Head of Sotheby’s Worldwide Impressionist & Modern Art Department, commented: “Tonight’s historic results bookend an exceptional year for Impressionist & Modern Art at Sotheby’s – our fourth consecutive year as leaders in this market. We opened this February with our best-ever sale in London, and tonight set a new benchmark for any auction in the Company’s 270-year history.”
This was the second highest price for a Giacometti sculpture. His L’homme qui march I sold for $104.3 million at Sotheby’s in London in February 2010.
(See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for October 28 and October 22, 2014).
Alberto Giacometti’s Legendary
CHARIOT
Amedeo Modigliani’s Totemic Goddess
TÊTE
Vincent van Gogh’s
STILL LIFE, VASE WITH DAISIES AND POPPIES