NEW YORK—Wrapping up Old Master’s week at Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses in New York, some incredible art exchanged hands, alongside some serious money. In retrospect, it was a good opportunity to see what art is gaining in popularity and value, what art is keeping its ground, and who this art appeals to.
Christie’s Old Master and 19th Century Art sales totaled $36.7 million. The top lot was “View of the Molo, Venice, Looking West” by the 18th century Italian artist Luca Carlevarijs. It went for just over $4 million, a new world auction record for the artist.
“Our results illustrate the broadening appeal of this category, both in terms of buying interest and buyer geographies,” Christie’s Nicholas Hall and Ben Hall explained in a statement. “There was great diversity to the works that achieved top prices today, from Bosschaert‘s jewel-like 17th century still life to Gerome’s stunning 19th century Orientalist portrait, ‘Master of the Hounds.’ Our buying audience proved to be equally diverse, with clients from South America, Russia, and Asia bidding alongside buyers from Europe and the United States.”
The grand total realized for Sotheby’s week of sales was $112.5 million, which they say is the second-highest total ever for their Old Masters Week.
The Important Old Master Paintings and Sculpture sale brought in the bulk—$90.6 million, just shy of a high $91.8 million estimate led by a work from Renaissance master Titian, selling to a private European collector for $16.9 million. It also broke a 20-year record for the artist at auction. Sixteen artist records were set at the sale.
Christie’s Old Master and 19th Century Art sales totaled $36.7 million. The top lot was “View of the Molo, Venice, Looking West” by the 18th century Italian artist Luca Carlevarijs. It went for just over $4 million, a new world auction record for the artist.
“Our results illustrate the broadening appeal of this category, both in terms of buying interest and buyer geographies,” Christie’s Nicholas Hall and Ben Hall explained in a statement. “There was great diversity to the works that achieved top prices today, from Bosschaert‘s jewel-like 17th century still life to Gerome’s stunning 19th century Orientalist portrait, ‘Master of the Hounds.’ Our buying audience proved to be equally diverse, with clients from South America, Russia, and Asia bidding alongside buyers from Europe and the United States.”
The grand total realized for Sotheby’s week of sales was $112.5 million, which they say is the second-highest total ever for their Old Masters Week.
The Important Old Master Paintings and Sculpture sale brought in the bulk—$90.6 million, just shy of a high $91.8 million estimate led by a work from Renaissance master Titian, selling to a private European collector for $16.9 million. It also broke a 20-year record for the artist at auction. Sixteen artist records were set at the sale.
