Impressionist and Modern Art in London [01/19/2006]
Following on logically from the boom in the London market, Sotheby's is to hold its largest ever spring auction in London from 7 to 8 February. The star lot of its Impressionist and Modern Art sale is a major work by Paul GAUGUIN .
The painting, entitled Deux Femmes – La Chevelure Fleurie (1902) has been estimated at GBP 11-15 million by the auction house. Gauguin's record was broken very recently. His painting Maternité (II) (1899) was knocked down at USD 35 million (GBP 19 million) at Sotheby's on 8 November 2004. However since this exceptional result, Gauguin's index has fallen by 19%.
Another key lot is Joan MIRO 's L’oiseau au plumage déployé vole vers l’arbre argenté (1953) which is estimated at GBP 4.5-6.5 million (USD 8-12 million). The painting broke an all-time record when it was sold for USD 8.5 million in New York in November 1989. Artprice data shows that since this result, the index for Joan Miró's paintings has climbed 7%.
Sotheby's sale will also feature a large number of works by Edvard MUNCH . No less than eight of the artist's paintings will be auctioned in the space of a few hours - equalling the total number which went under the hammer in 2005! The most important lot is a 2-metre wide work entitled Summer Day (1904-08) which is estimated at GBP 2.5-3.5 million. Sotheby's will complement this sale by a German & Austrian Art auction offering some 75 lots.
At Christie's, the star lot at its 6 February sale is a painting by Chaïm SOUTINE – Bœuf Ecorché (c. 1924) which is estimated at GBP 4.2-4.8 million. As in previous years, the "Impressionist and Modern Art" evening sale will accompany a large number of surrealist lots (39) and German-Austrian pieces (31 lots including a two-sided work by Ernst Ludwig KIRCHNER estimated at GBP 3-5 million). In total 102 lots will be on offer at Christie's on 6 February
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