Art Records Tumble as Billionaires Spend $207 Million
Paintings by Yves Klein and Jean- Michel Basquiat sold for record prices last night as battling billionaires spent $207 million at the most valuable auction of contemporary artworks held in Europe.
The contest for exceptional works by the most lauded names of postwar and 20th-century art at Christie’s International, London, was topped by the 23.6 million pounds ($36.7 million) for a “sponge” painting by the French conceptualist Klein.
“People are still prepared to pay top prices,” the London- based dealer, Stephen Friedman, said in an interview. “The works have to be fresh, though, and great quality.”
Concern about the euro and economic growth is making buyers more tentative for lesser works. The auction raised 132.8 million pounds with fees against a low estimate of 102.6 million pounds, based on hammer prices. The previous evening, a less trophy-studded auction of contemporary pieces at Sotheby’s (BID) made 69.3 million pounds, 40 million pounds down on last year.
Klein’s 1960 painted relief “Le Rose du bleu (RE 22),” encrusted with sea sponges, was valued at as much as 20 million pounds and guaranteed by a third-party bid. It was won by a telephone bid taken by Francis Outred, Christie’s European head of contemporary art.
Three other guaranteed works sold for more than 10 million pounds, with another 21.5 million pounds for the 1964 Francis Bacon “Study for Self-Portrait” against a valuation of as much as 20 million pounds.
Lawsuit Settled
The painting had been previously offered by Christie’s New York in 2008, when it failed to sell. The work had subsequently become the subject of a lawsuit between the auction house and a family trust led by the Connecticut collector George A. Weiss. It was guaranteed by the auction house, rather than a third- party, and was bought by the New York dealer Christophe Van de Weghe, underbid by Manhattan gallerist William Acquavella.
“I was bidding for an international financier who lives in a plane,” Van de Weghe said.
A self-portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat sold for a record 12.9 million pounds. The 1981 “Untitled” was entered by a collector from the West Coast of the U.S. who bought it for a record $14.6 million at auction in 2007. Brett Gorvy, Christie’s international head of postwar and contemporary art, was the winning bidder for a telephone client.
The 1989 Gerhard Richter abstract “Struktur (2),” was also bought by Gorvy for a client. It was another guaranteed work fresh to the auction market and made 12.7 million pounds.
Guaranteed Works
Other guaranteed lots struggled to attract external bids. Lucian Freud’s 1974 “Naked Portrait II” and Alexander Calder’s 1959-1963 mobile “Rouge triomphant (Triumphant Red)” sold to bids from their guarantors for 4.3 million pounds and 6.2 million pounds respectively.
“The market is turning a bit,” Morgan Long of the London- based Fine Art Fund, said in an interview. “Quite a few things sold for, or below, their low estimates. There isn’t the same depth of demand as a year ago. Buyers are a bit exhausted and estimates were punchy. From now on, people will be concentrating on the blue-chip.”
Jeff Koons’s 1994-2008 steel sculpture “Baroque Egg with Bow (Blue/Turquoise)” was snapped up at a low estimate price. The piece was bought in the room for 2.6 million pounds by the London-based dealer Ivor Braka, who the previous evening at Sotheby’s sold a Glenn Brown painting for 5.2 million pounds.
(Scott Reyburn writes about the art market for Muse, the arts and culture section of Bloomberg News. Opinions expressed are his own.)
Muse highlights include Robert Heller on rock music, Jason Harper on cars and Rich Jaroslovsky on technology.
To contact the writer on the story: Scott Reyburn in London at sreyburn@hotmail.com.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
"Le Rose du bleu (RE 22)"
Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
"Le Rose du bleu (RE 22)," a 1960 sponge relief by the French conceptual artist Yves Klein. The work, encrusted with nine sea sponges, was sold for an artist record by Christie's International in its June 27 auction of post-war and contemporary artworks in London.
"Le Rose du bleu (RE 22)," a 1960 sponge relief by the French conceptual artist Yves Klein. The work, encrusted with nine sea sponges, was sold for an artist record by Christie's International in its June 27 auction of post-war and contemporary artworks in London. Source: Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
Basquiat Self-Portrait
Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg.
A 1981 untitled self-portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat. The acrylic, oilstick and spray-paint canvas sold for a record in an auction of post-war and contemporary works at Christie's International in London on June 27.
A 1981 untitled self-portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat. The acrylic, oilstick and spray-paint canvas sold for a record in an auction of post-war and contemporary works at Christie's International in London on June 27. Source: Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg.
"Struktur (2)"
Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
"Struktur (2)," a 1989 abstract painting by Gerhard Richter. It was among 69 postwar and contemporary artworks being offered by Christie's International auction in London.
"Struktur (2)," a 1989 abstract painting by Gerhard Richter. It was among 69 postwar and contemporary artworks being offered by Christie's International auction in London. Source: Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
"Study for Self-Portrait"
Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
"Study for Self-Portrait," a 1964 painting by Francis Bacon. The work sold in a 69-lot auction of post-war and contemporary artworks at Christie's International in London on June 27.
"Study for Self-Portrait," a 1964 painting by Francis Bacon. The work sold in a 69-lot auction of post-war and contemporary artworks at Christie's International in London on June 27. Source: Christie's Images Ltd. 2012 via Bloomberg
Rate this Page
Bloomberg moderates all comments. Comments that are abusive or off-topic will not be posted to the site. Excessively long comments may be moderated as well. Bloomberg cannot facilitate requests to remove comments or explain individual moderation decisions.