AMSTERDAM.- Christie’s Amsterdam Post-War and Contemporary Art evening and day sales concluded on 1 May with a combined total of €7,834,250 / £6,788,778 / $8,750,736, demonstrating the continuous strength of Christie's in the Netherlands with exceptional sell-through rates of 92% by lot and 95% by value in the evening sale and 91% by lot and 93% by value in the day sale. Registered bidders from 37 countries showed the continued global appeal of Christie’s Amsterdam sales, with enthusiastic bidding in the room, on the telephones and online from the U.S., Russia and Europe, particularly from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Over 30% of the sales were sold to or directly underbid by online clients.

The season was led by the Jan and Tineke Hoekstra Collection of exceptional works by Dutch and international minimalist and constructivist artists, which saw competitive bidding throughout and was a 100% sold, achieving a total of €1,170,625 / £1,009,159 / $1,314,934. Many of the 54 works exceeded their estimates, including the top lot, François Morellet's 2 Trames 0°, 90° (intervalles 14cm et 17cm), estimate €80,000-120,000, which sold for €162,500. Three artist records were achieved for works from the collection, including Rob van Koningsbruggen's Untitled, estimate €15,000-20,000, sold for €50,000, Joost Baljeu's Synth. constr. WXI_4c, estimate €30,000 - 50,000, sold for €137,500 and Bob Bonie's Blauw-wit (Blue-White), estimate €4,000 - 6,000, sold for €10,625.

The auctions once more underscored Christie’s Amsterdam’s position as a key auction platform for Northern European art, especially ZERO and German art, with excellent prices achieved across the board, including the overall top lot, Imi Knoebel 's Zion (estimate €140,000-180,000), which sold for €328,000. Further strong results were realised by Bram van Velde's Untitled (estimate €180,000-250,000), sold for €322,000 and Heinz Mack's Der Himmel über Samarkand (estimate €200,000-300,000), sold for €298,000. Additional artist records were achieved for Stanley Brouw's 1 x 1 x 1 foot - 2 x 2 x 2 feet - 3 x 3 x 3 feet (estimate €30,000 - 40,000), sold for €68,750, Carel Visser's Gat (Hole) (estimate €40,000 - 60,000), sold for €65,000, Meuser's Untitled, (estimate €10,000 - 12,000), which sold for €22,500 and Imi Knoebel's Untitled, (estimate €30,000 - 50,000), which set a work on paper record for the artist, selling for €112,500

Elvira Jansen, Specialist, Head of Sale, commented: ‘I am so thrilled that Amsterdam continues to be the platform of choice for so many of our northern European and international clients. Our auctions expose both Dutch and international artists to a wide collecting audience. The exceptional success of the Jan and Tineke Hoekstra Collection demonstrates that bidders are willing to pursue passionately refined taste and true love of art.’

Arno Verkade, Managing Director, Amsterdam and Germany, added: ‘I am pleased and proud that our auctions in Amsterdam continue to go from strength to strength with exceptionally high sell-through rates, showcasing the extraordinary history and passion for Post-War and Contemporary Art here in the Netherlands. The auction records set for Dutch artists demonstrate that we continue to cross borders and attract international audiences.’