NEW YORK, NY.- Shapiro Auctions sale of International Fine and Decorative Art brought a total of $3,189,426 against a pre-sale estimate of $3,855,900-5,107,180 representing 83% sell through rate by value. Bidders from 41 countries across 5 continents were competing in the room, on the telephone and online for works across several categories including particularly strong selections of Russian, European and American paintings and works of art.

Gene Shapiro, President and Founder of Shapiro Auctions, New York: “Today’s sale of International Fine and Decorative Art saw notable demand for highly collectible works by the masters of late 19th and 20th century art, led by Marc Chagall’s wonderful ‘Le Bouquet d’Amours’. We are delighted that our auction once again attracted global participation from bidders around the world, further evidencing the deep international demand across categories that we include in our sales. This resulted in strong prices across offerings in the sale from Impressionist masters - illustrated by the rare 1892 work by Leon Augustin L’Hermitte - to the energy of the late work by the contemporary Russian artist, Victor Khromin. Our continued approach of offering sale of International Fine and Decorative Art collectively presents new and established buyers with opportunities across price levels and across categories.”

The sale was led by Le Bouquet d’Amour, by Marc Chagall which sold, for $785,000/€700,861/£518,160 (estimate: $650,000-800,000). Offered from a Private American Collection the painting is quintessentially Chagall containing many highly recognizable and beloved themes that inhabited Chagall’s work.

Further leading highlights of the sale:

• Painted in 1892, Départ des laveuses le soir, by Leon Augustin L’Hermitte sold for $281,000/€250,895/£185,326 (estimate: $250,000-350,000). A powerful example of French Impressionism, this painting was included in the Salon de la Société nationale des beaux-arts, 1892, and subsequently was on loan at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1920-1946.

• A serene and sensuous celebration of early 20thcentury seaside vista, Le Parasol à la Terrasse de Morgat, by Henri Labasque, 1924, sold for $233,000/€208,038/£153,660 (estimate: $225,000-275,000).

• Paysage au bord de la rivière, by Maximilien Luce (1858-1941), painted in 1896, a close friend and confidante of the artist Camille Pissaro, sold for $197,000/€175,885/£129,919 (estimate: $225,000-275,000).

• Two works by the late 19th century Hungarian artist, Isador Kaufmann, realized strong prices from bidders on the phone and online during the sale. Known for his meticulously detailed portraits of Jewish life in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th century, Kaufmann’s work has experienced renewed interest over the past several seasons. Lots 670 and 671 sold for $67,500 and $47,500 respectively.

• Works by 19th and 20th century Russian artists experienced considerable interest from collectors both online and on the telephone. Two works by the 19th century artist Ivan Aivazovsky (1817-1900) received particular interest from bidders – Lots 27 and 28, both seascapes realized $25,000 for each.

• A small but strong selection of Asian fine and decorative art received spirited bidding during the sale. Of particular interest was a small painting by the Vietnamese artist Mai Trung Thu who spent much of his life living and painting in France. Lot 4 in the sale, Le Rideau, realized $53,750 (estimate: $20,000-30,000).