HONG KONG.- Vinci Chang, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Asian Art, commented: “Sanyu’s final masterpiece Nu dazzled collectors from around the world in the lead up to this week’s auction, and we were thrilled to see it achieve a new benchmark price for the artist. The painting’s stellar performance, alongside two further works by the artist in the sale, is a true testament to Sanyu’s international importance and appeal. Throughout the Evening and Day sales we saw strong competition for iconic works by modern masters from Zao Wou-Ki, Lin Fengmian and Guan Liang to Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita, which is a further vindication of the market’s support and recognition for this category.”

EVENING SALE LED BY LEGENDARY SANYU MASTERPIECES

• Sanyu’s Nu soared to a record-breaking HK$197,974,000 / US$25,231,790

o Sanyu’s final masterpiece and one of his largest nude paintings

o Appearing at auction for the first time since it was created more than half a century ago

o Extensively illustrated in every catalogue of Sanyu’s oil paintings and featured as the cover image of the invitation to the artist’s final solo exhibition

• In addition, Sanyu’s Nu Rose Sur Tissus Chinois sold for HK$49,904,000 / US$6,360,270 o An extremely rare classic work by the artist from the 1930s

o Appearing at auction for the first time since it was created

CONTINUED DEMAND FOR WORKS BY ZAO WOU-KI

• Most representative example of the artist’s Oracle Bone series 21.04.59 sold for HK$104,576,000 / US$13,328,210

• 21.04.59 now ranked ninth of the artist’s top 10 auction records

• Ten works by the artist were sold for a combined HK$160,532,250 / US$20,459,835

TRIUMPHANT RESULTS FOR GUAN LIANG, LIN FENGMIAN AND LÉONARD TSUGUHARU FOUJITA

• 11 works of Lin Fengmian in the two sales were 100% sold with a combined total of HK$45,917,500 / US$5,582,000. Most of the lots were sold above high estimates, led by Lotus Pond which fetched HK$11,455,000 / US$1,459,940

• All of 33 works of Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita were sold across evening and day sales for a total of HK$37,187,500 / US$4,739,000, led by Jeune Femme au Petit Chien which sold for HK$16,975,000 / US$2,163,000

• 12 works of Guan Liang across evening and day sales were sold with a combined HK$ 19,652,500 / US$2,504,712, with Legend of the White Snake being the top lot of the group at HK$5,215,000 / US$664,650

NEW ARTIST RECORDS

• Pang Jiun’s The Dream About Bin-Hong Huang No.3 Sale price: HK$6,415,000 / US$817,592

• Li Huayi’s In the Spirit of the Big Dipper Sale price: HK$5,935,000 / US$756,416

• Sophie Chang’s A. Blessing; B. Untitled Sale price: HK$3,750,000 / US$477,938

• Chu Ko’s Endless Stretch Sale price: HK$150,000 / US$19,118

• Orazio Bacci’s A. Group Photo of the Bacci Family, Hsiao Chin, Ho Kan and Friends B. The 4th Punto Movement Catalogues (Set of Eight) Sale price: HK$47,500 / US$6,054

• Zhuang Huayue’s No.115 Sale price: HK$35,000 / US$4,461

• Nino Lo Duca’s A. Photo of Hsiao Chin and Kan B. Photo of Hsiao Chin C. Photo of Ho Kan Sale price: HK$18,750 / US$2,390