Europe

Art, antiques, exhibitions, and collecting news from across Europe.

Hans Hartung Masterpiece Sells for $1.4 Million at Piguet Auction House

Framed T1948-17 by Hans Hartung, with sweeping black lines and coloured forms on pale green.

Piguet Hôtel des Ventes in Geneva, Switzerland, set new benchmarks in the art world this week, as a major work by the renowned abstract painter Hans Hartung fetched CHF 1.2 million ($1.4 million USD) at auction, placing it among the top 10 highest-selling pieces by the artist globally. This milestone, achieved in a somewhat challenging international art market, underscores Geneva’s growing importance as a key destination for high-profile art auctions.

Ancient and Contemporary Japanese Kites Take Flight in Italy for ‘One Sky One World’ Peace Festival

Japanese kite painted with two figures beneath a yellow umbrella on a green background.

The festival’s centerpiece, hosted at the historic Magazzino del Sale Torre, will feature an unprecedented exhibition dedicated to both ancient and contemporary Japanese kites. Organized under the sponsorship of the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Japanese Institute of Culture in Italy, and the Italian Association of Printing and Paper Museums, the event underscores ARTEVENTO’s long-standing role in promoting kites as an “intangible heritage of humanity.”

Who is Joanna Li: A Journey of Emotional Expression Through Art

Joanna Li, The Present Moment, Photography, 2021

Joanna Li, a Taiwanese artist, is rapidly gaining recognition in the international art scene for her distinctive ability to fuse natural and urban landscapes into emotionally rich narratives. Now based in London, where she graduated from the renowned University of the Arts, her work spans both photography and watercolor painting, each piece reflecting her profound artistic depth. With a sharp eye for contrast and composition, Joanna delves into themes of isolation, memory, and connection, offering audiences an immersive emotional experience. Her art transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries, communicating universal emotions that resonate with viewers around the world.

Turkish Female Artist Fahr El-Nissa Zeid’s Painting Sells for €152,800, Three Times the Estimate

Detail of Fahr El-Nissa Zeid’s Lever De Soleil, with textured pink, red and yellow brushstrokes and dark green circular forms.

Zeid, one of the first women to attend the Fine Arts Academy in Istanbul, later continued her studies in Paris under Roger Bissière at the Académie Ranson. Over her long career, she held numerous solo exhibitions in major cities such as London, Paris, New York, and throughout the Middle East. After the death of her husband, Prince Zeid bin Hussein of Iraq’s Hashemite royal family, she settled in Amman, where she continued to create groundbreaking work.

L’APPARTEMENT Art Space in Geneva Presents its Inaugural Exhibition ‘Sound and Silence’, Featuring Works by TAKIS & Yves Dana

Thea Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos.

Art Advisor and Curator Thea Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos is set to unveil L’Appartement, a new art space in the heart of Geneva, this autumn. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition, Sound and Silence, opens on October 3rd, 2024, in the dedicated space at Geneva’s Eaux-Vives district and runs until December 21st. The exhibition will feature 24 works by the renowned artist Takis, including pieces from the prestigious Emfietzoglou Collection, alongside 18 works by Yves Dana, with some of Dana’s creations debuting in Geneva for the first time.

One of the World’s Most Recognizable Guitars to Hit Auction: Rory Gallagher’s $1 Million 1961 Fender Stratocaster

Electric guitar with a heavily worn brown finish and cream pickguard, leaning against a VOX amplifier.

Gallagher’s Stratocaster has long been celebrated, appearing on numerous magazine covers and displayed in landmark exhibitions. It has also been played by famed musicians such as Johnny Marr and Joe Bonamassa, further cementing its status in music history. Fender began producing replica models of the guitar in 2004 as part of its artist signature series.

Breaking the Silence: Mihail Rakov’s Audio Drama ‘The Call’ Confronts Workplace Sexual Harassment in Russia and Post-Soviet Countries | VIDEO

The Call, audio drama by Mihail Rakov.

Sexual harassment in the workplace has become one of the most discussed issues in recent years. Women worldwide have found the courage to step forward and share their experiences. This act has been particularly important for those in societies where victim-blaming is the norm in cases of abuse. This is especially true in post-Soviet countries, where sex and sexuality were taboo topics, and sexual abuse was often seen as something for which only the victim was responsible. Over the past few years, movements like #MeToo have exposed the uncomfortable reality of harassment in women’s professional lives. Millions of women have bravely shared their hidden traumas with the public, inspiring others to speak out.

Just Like James Dean’s! Ultra-Rare $4 Million 1956 Porsche 550RS Spyder to Hit Auction Block

Black-and-white composite of a man's portrait above a Porsche 550 RS numbered 60 on a racetrack.

On October 6, automotive enthusiasts and collectors will turn their attention to the Bonhams|Cars Zoute Sale in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, where a true gem of racing history will be up for auction: the ex-‘ECURIE NATIONALE BELGE’ 1956 Porsche 550RS Spyder, Chassis 550-0082, just like the one that once belonged to Hollywood legend James Dean. While this iconic vehicle, with a storied past on European racing circuits, has no direct connection to the American actor who tragically lost his life in a similar model, it is still expected to fetch between €3,500,000 and €4,000,000, reaffirming its status as one of the most expensive classic sports cars in the world.

Rare 1959 Aston Martin DB4 Prototype ‘DP2155’ Set to Hit Auction with an Estimated Value of Over $1.5 Million

Front detail of the 1959 Aston Martin DB4 DP2155, showing the grille, bonnet scoop and wire-spoke wheel.

Automotive enthusiasts and collectors are eagerly anticipating the Bonhams|Cars Zoute sale, set for October 6 in Knokke-Heist, Belgium. One of the highlights of the auction is the Works Prototype Design Project ‘DP2155’ 1959 Aston Martin DB4, which carries an estimated value of €1,300,000 to €1,600,000. This engineering marvel, distinguished as the last to bear the DP prefix, represents a significant chapter in Aston Martin’s storied history.