VIENNA.- Dorotheum has every reason to be proud of its first half of 2016 which saw six new world records, millions of euros of sales, and top results achieved for Modern and Contemporary Art. Some of the most successful auctions in Modern Art, Old Master paintings, and 19th century paintings in Dorotheum’s history make this one of our best years to date.
The Modern Art auction in May saw a recently discovered James Ensor „Baptême de masques“ (ca. 1925-30), bring in €1,022,500, far above its estimate, achieving a record price for a late work by Ensor.
Record sales
Once again, Dorotheum proved its strength in Contemporary Art with a total of four world records and several incredible results. One of the highlights was a blue Lucio Fontana Concetto Spaziale, Attesa, 1967/68, sold in June for €735,000. World record prices achieved in June auctions include the poetic Carla Accardi Biancobianco, 1966 which sold for €234,800, works by Fabio Mauri (€125,000), Rodolfo Aricò (€87,500), and Julije Knifer (€137,200).
High demand for American Art
The Contemporary auction season also saw a high demand for US artists such as Tom Wesselmann (Nancy Scribble, €350,508), Richard Poussette-Dart (Suspended light, €256,901), as well as for Robert Rauschenberg and Frank Stella.
A nail object by Günter Uecker, which sold for €344,600 was the highlight of German art represented at Contemporary Auctions.
Alfons Walde, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Werner Berg and Maria Lassnig were all among Austrian artists achieving top results.
New discoveries
The Old Masters auction in April also achieved record-breaking results, with the million mark hit with 1,2 million Euro achieved for The Birth of Christ, a painting in flawless condition from the studio of Hans Memling, probably one of the most important Flemish painters of the 15th century and a successor of Rogier van der Weyden. Works hammered down well above their estimates also include recent discoveries such as The Judgement of Paris from the studio of Peter Paul Rubens €868,733) and Christ Carrying the Cross, an early work by Guido Reni (€491,000). The Holy Family and St Anne by Huybrecht Bueckeleer achieved a phenomenal €430,742, while an ornamental still life by Francois Habert brought in the world record result of €247,000.
Serenissima Views of Venice turned out to be the most popular theme of the April auctions of 19th Century paintings: Ippolito Caffi’s painting of a nocturnal feats in Venice sold far above expectations at 161,600 Euro, to the cheers of “Bravo!” in the auction room. Pietro Galter’s Entrance of the Grand Canal in Venice achieved an excellent €112,500, a new world record for this artist.
Race to success
Nearly all cars offered at the June auction of vintage cars and automobilia found a new owner. The star of the auction, one of the most successful such events at Dorotheum Vienna, was a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S, sold for €596,600 to an Austrian telephone bidder.
Precious gems
Big stones and prominent names were major attractions of Dorotheum jewellery auctions. A Bulgari Serpenti lady’s jewellery watch sold for €102,500; a ring with an untreated Burma sapphire at ca. 8,20 ct. sold for €100,000, and a 3 ct. Cartier diamond ring of the finest quality sold for €108,756.
Gifted Muse
Top result at the art nouveau auction in June: A silver muff chain designed by Kolo Moser, once given as a gift by Gustav Klimt to his long-time muse and friend Emilie Flöge, sold for €198,200, far above its estimate.
Tea with the Emperor
The imperial memorabilia auction in June celebrated the 100th anniversary of the death of Emperor Franz Joseph. His personal travelling tea service made by the silversmith Klinkosch went for €68,750, to name just one example.
Luxury fashion
The auction „Chanel Vintage“– from the estate of a Viennese lady – attracted a huge media response. Accessories and handbags proved especially sought-after.
