11.03.2010

Christie's Sets New Records for Matisse and Gris


Henri Matisse, Nu de Dos, 4 État (Back IV), (conceived in 1930, cast in 1978). Private Collection.

More Records Set at Christie's

Lots of bidding and big prices tonight, some of the highlights...

Matisse's “Nu de Dos, 4 État (Back IV)”, (conceived in 1930, cast in 1978), sold last night to famous dealer Larry Gagosian for $48.8 million after intense bidding between four parties. Though he related that he had bid for a client, the actual buyer remains anonymous. This is a record for Matisse at auction and was far above the pre-sale estimate.

Another new record for an artist at auction was set for Juan Gris last night when his “Violin and Guitar,” a masterpiece Cubist still - life. Though originally thought to bring $18 million to $25 million, went for $28.6 million, to another anonymous buyer, this time by telephone.

Schiele's “Man and Woman,” the 1917 work I had drooled over in the catalogue, went much higher than originally thought and ultimately sold for $7.3 million to Robert Mnuchin (L& M Arts) after heavy bidding over the drawing.

For more on the auction, see Souren Melikian's article from 'The New York Times'

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