ZURICH.- Sotheby’s sale of Swiss Art this evening saw a rare and majestic sunset by Félix Vallotton fly off the auction block, selling to a bidder in the room for an exceptional CHF 1,805,000 (€ 1,498,427). The strikingly evocative Soleil couchant dans la brume, 1911, depicting one of the artist’s best-loved motifs, prompted a great deal of interest among collectors, reflecting Vallotton’s undisputed place in the pantheon of Swiss Art. The autumn sale also showcased the undeniable talent of Ferdinand Hodler, but also Giovanni Segantini and Alice Bailly, as well as Zurich constructivist artists Max Bill and Richard Paul Lohse. The assembled lots in tonight’s Swiss Art sale realised a total of CHF 6,217,525 (€ 5,161,500).

Speaking after the sale, Urs Lanter, Head of Sotheby’s Swiss Art Department, said, “We are thrilled to have once again achieved an outstanding result for a sunset painting by Félix Vallotton. This stunning landscape saw intense bidding and the final price is testament to this painter’s artistry and enduring appeal. We are also delighted to have seen such strong recognition in the market for modern and contemporary works, in particular pieces from the extraordinary collection of Georges Baines.”

Stephanie Schleining, Geneva-based Specialist in the Swiss Art Department, commented, “The enthusiasm we witnessed this evening confirms the strong demand for the key figures in Swiss Art. Seasoned collectors recognised the rarity and importance of the painting by Alice Bailly, and we are delighted with the results achieved by property from the collection of the late Jan Krugier, in particular two captivating works on paper by Giovanni Segantini. Indeed, we select pieces that are significant in an artist’s career, or which can claim a place beyond the boundaries of Swiss art – and this evening’s sale reflects that approach.”