ZURICH.- Yesterday's « Swiss Art » Auction at Sotheby’s Zurich realised CHF 5,862,875 (€ 3,878,878). The sale was 65% sold by lot and 83.2% by value. In addition to landscapes and portraits by Hodler from the private collection of his model Jeanne Charles, works by Ernest Biéler, Max Buri as well as Giovanni and Augusto Giacometti also sold well under the hammer of Dr. Claudia Steinfels, Director of Sotheby’s Zurich.

Urs Lanter, Director of Sotheby’s Swiss Art Department, commented: “We are very happy with the results of the sale, demonstrating once again that works of major quality by renowned Swiss masters are still very much sought after, in particular those from private collections. Hodler’s paintings, for instance, commanded excellent prices tonight. Furthermore, Swiss contemporary artists were in strong demand: the top lot of this section was Tinguely’s “Hexerich”, but works by Gottfried Honegger and Olivier Mosset also aroused strong competition. We aim to build on these encouraging results for Contemporary art in future sales.”

Central to the excitement this evening was Stockhornkette mit Thunersee from Ferdinand Hodler, from the collection of his model Jeanne Charles Cerani-Cisic. Painted in 1913 and estimated CHF 350,000 to 450,000 (€ 233,000-299,000), it finally sold for CHF 590,500 (€ 390,675). From the same ensemble, Schwörender im Linksprofil zur « Einmutigkeit », found a new owner at CHF 75,000 (€50,083) after intense competition. Furthermore, Thunersee mit Blüemlisalp und Niesen by the same painter but from another source went for CHF 386,500 (€ 255,708).

The second highest-selling lot of this evening, a composed landscape from Vallotton, La Dordogne à Beynac, sold over the phone at CHF 506,500 (€335,100). And Brienzer Bauern in Wirtsstube from Max Buri found a buyer for the same price.

Paysage d’Automne from Ernest Biéler is unique in the diversity of techniques and contrasting styles used by the artist. It was acquired at CHF 470,500 (€311,283): the successful telephone bid was more than twice higher to the high estimate.

Among other stand-out pieces in tonight’s sale was die Wolke von Cuno Amiet - in which the influence of Van Gogh is remarkable. That sold for CHF 182,500 (€ 311,283). Meanwhile, Die Häuser von Catmaté mit Piz Lagrev by Gottardo Segantini realised CHF 170,500 (€ 112,803).

Swiss contemporary artists attracted much interest, as proven by Hexerich from Tinguely, which went under the hammer for CHF 134,500 (€88,985).

Sotheby’s Zurich holds « Swiss Art » auctions twice a year. The next one will take place in Spring 2010.