GENEVA.- The Exceptional collection of artwork and personal effects belonging to Albert Anker (1831-1910), went under the hammer on Wednesday 9th March 2011 at the Geneva based auction house
Hôtel des Ventes totalling: CHF 680,000/USD 660,000/EUR 540,000
Valued at CHF 200,000-300,000, the collection sold for over three times the low estimate. Hôtel des Ventes Auction House sold a unique collection of artwork and personal effects of the renowned Swiss artist Albert Anker, left to his granddaughter-in-law, Jeanine Dubois (1931-2010). In a heavily crowded room, the scene was set for an electrifying bidding war between the numerous enthusiasts trying their luck. Amongst the most successful buyers were the French and German Swiss collectors. The non-profit-making Fondation pour l'Art, la Culture et l'Histoire located in Winterthur was one of the most active participants in the auction. For many connoisseurs, also bidding by telephone, this may have been one of the last occasions to buy previously unseen works by Anker. Bernard Piguet, principal auctioneer at Hôtel des Ventes of Geneva, declared: “The excellence of the provenance of these objects, as well as their newness to the market, explains this exceptional result for such moderately-sized artworks and shows to what extent Anker is a safe-bet on the Swiss art market. Anker really seems to be the favourite painter of the Swiss...."
The sale total reached 680'000 swiss francs – over 3 times the initial low estimate. In accordance with the owner’s will, the proceeds of the sale will be donated to charitable organisations of her choice.
• Top lot: l’Etude pour Une jeune fille qui pèle des pommes de terre, small oil on canvas by Albert Anker with an estimate of CHF 20,000-30,000, changed ownership for the remarkable sum of CHF 135,000 (lot 1374).
• The young boy holding a child on his lap, watercolour on paper (19x13 cm), front cover of Hôtel des Ventes’ catalogue, soared to more than CHF 48,000 (lot 1356, estimate CHF 4,000-6,000).
• The gold thimble with the artist’s wife Anna Anker’s initials found a buyer at just over CHF 900 (lot 1376, estimate CHF100-150).
