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A collection of 85 works showcasing seven decades of the career of Joan Miro (1893-1983) will be offered at Christie’s in London in February.  Most often associated with Surrealism Miro’s work has an appeal that transcends traditional categories and collectors of both Impressionist and Modern Art and Post War and Contemporary Art compete for his paintings, works on paper and sculptures.

Miro – Seven Decades of His Art features property formerly in a private corporate collection being sold by decision of the Portuguese Republic.  The two top lots are Femmes et oiseaux (Women and Birds), 1968 ( £4-7 million) and Painting, 1953 (£2.5-3.5 million). With estimates ranging from £10,000 to £7 million, this collection provides collectors at every level with a remarkable opportunity. The works will be offered across three sales: The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale on February 4; Impressionist and Modern Art Day Sale and Impressionist and Modern Art Works on Paper Sale, on February 5.  The complete collection is expected to make more than £30 million.

UPDATE: These works were withdrawn following a legal dispute.

Miro- Femmes et Oiseaux © Christie’s Images Limited 2013

Miro – Painting, 1953. © Christie’s Images Limited 2013

Miro – Birdsong in Autumn © Christie’s Images Limited 2013

An auction shot with Untitled by Vasudeo S. Gaitonde (1924-2001) being sold.

Pre-sale estimates were more than doubled at Christie’s first auction in India at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai this evening.  The sale totalled 96.5 million rupees or $15.4 million US dollars and 98 per cent of lots sold.  The top lot, an untitled work by Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, made $3.7 million and was bought by a private US collector. The auction house said that the sale marks an historic moment for Christie’s, building on a 20-year history in India, and a decade of global market leadership in Modern Indian Art through sales in New York and London. Buyers were from India, across Asia, the US and Europe.

“It has been a true privilege to be in India where we have been honoured by the warm welcome. The response to our sale and events has been extraordinary,” said Steven Murphy,  Christie’s ceo. “Holding an auction in India for the first time is the realization of a long held dream for Christie’s. We are delighted to have welcomed several thousand members of the public and clients over the course of the month. Our mission remains to serve our clients with exceptional works of art and to serve artists and all those passionate about art by convening them with our global network. We hope to continue to share the vibrant creativity we have experienced in Mumbai with a global audience as we grow our operations here in India.”

Dorothea Sharp (1875-1955) – The Young Goatherd – sold for 19,800.

A painting by the English artist Dorothea Sharp (1875-1955) was the top lot at Hegarty’s sale in Bandon last night.  The Young Goatherd was new to market and had emerged from a collection in Schull in west Cork.  It sold for 19,800 at hammer.

Sharp, who exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1901 to 1948, was an honorary member of the St. Ives Society of  Artists.

A landscape by the French artist Felix Ziem from the same collection sold for 5,800.

(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for December 9, 2013)