Tag: Christie's

Stunning Discovery: Van Dyckโ€™s Only Surviving Landscape Found and Sold for Over $4 Million

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Hidden for centuries and only recently unveiled, a secret masterpiece by Sir Anthony van Dyck has taken the art world by storm. On the reverse of his grand depiction of an Andalusian Horse lies the only surviving landscape in oil ever painted by the legendary Baroque artist. This serene study of a tree-covered slope and a dog drinking at a lake was discovered during restoration, concealed beneath a later relining canvas. The revelation has been hailed as a transformative moment for understanding van Dyckโ€™s early career and his passion for nature. This dual-sided treasure sold at Christieโ€™s for over $4 million, far exceeding expectations and captivating collectors and scholars alike. The discovery sheds new light on van Dyckโ€™s genius, linking the landscape to other key works and proving that his talent extended far beyond portraiture. Explore the remarkable story behind this once-in-a-lifetime find and its journey to the auction block.

Francesco Hayezโ€™s ‘Bathsheba’ Painting Sets Record with $1.8 Million Sale at Christieโ€™s

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A masterpiece by the celebrated 19th-century Italian painter Francesco Hayez has shattered expectations at Christieโ€™s Old Masters Evening Sale in London, setting a new world auction record for the artist. Bathsheba, an evocative oil painting dating back to 1827, sold for an astonishing $1,893,348, nearly doubling its pre-sale estimate! Bathsheba is hailed not only for its technical brilliance but also for its storied provenance. The painting was first acquired directly from Hayez by King William I of Wรผrttemberg at Milanโ€™s Brera Academy. According to Hayezโ€™s memoirs, the king, captivated by the paintingโ€™s beauty and mastery, paid the artistโ€™s full asking price on the spot.

Surrealist Art Market Shows Strong Momentum with Record Sales and High Demand

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The surrealist art market is currently experiencing a notable period of growth, evidenced by strong auction results and heightened collector interest. Recent sales in New York, Paris, and London reflect a robust appetite for works from this historically significant movement. Renรฉ Magritteโ€™s Lโ€™empire des Lumiรจres (1954) led the market in 2024, achieving $121.16 million at Christieโ€™s New Yorkโ€”the highest price ever paid for a surrealist artwork. This sale underscores a broader trend of sustained demand for surrealist pieces, both from marquee names and historically underrepresented artists.

Magritte’s Masterpiece Sets Surreal World Record, Selling for $121 Million at Christieโ€™s

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Renรฉ Magritteโ€™s “Lโ€™empire des Lumiรจres” (1954) has shattered records, selling for an astonishing $121.2 million at Christieโ€™s in New York. This iconic surrealist work, renowned for its haunting juxtaposition of a tranquil daylit sky and a shadowy nocturnal streetscape, captivated collectors in a dramatic bidding war. The sale not only surpassed its $95 million pre-sale estimate but also established a new benchmark for the Belgian artist, solidifying his place among the most sought-after figures in modern art. This masterpiece, part of the late Mica Ertegunโ€™s celebrated collection, has been hailed as a quintessential representation of Magritteโ€™s enigmatic brilliance.

Where is Salvator Mundi? World’s Most Expensive Painting Set to Become Saudi Arabiaโ€™s Crown Jewel in Billion-Dollar Museum Gamble

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leonardo salvator mundi

Recent reports suggest that Leonardo da Vinci’s elusive ‘Salvator Mundi’ painting may soon re-emerge as the centerpiece of a new museum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The painting’s purchase by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, widely known as MBS, was initially shrouded in secrecy, with his identity as the buyer only revealed through subsequent media reports. Since then, rumors have swirled about the painting’s location, with some speculating that it was being housed on MBS’s luxury yacht, the “Serene.”

Rothko’s Most Expensive Painting “No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)” Sold Again!

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One of the most notable sales in the art world occurred in 2014 when Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev purchased Rothko’s renowned 1951 masterpiece, “No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red),” from Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier for a staggering $186 million. While this record-breaking sale brought significant media attention, it also entangled the artwork in the notorious Bouvier Affair, a scandal that reverberated throughout the art world shortly after.

American Antiques Smash Records at Christie’s Totaling $9.3M – Joshua Johnson’s Art Sets World Record

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Christieโ€™s annual auction of Important Americana in New York has exceeded all expectations, totaling an impressive $9,294,784. This figure marks a significant milestone, more than doubling last yearโ€™s total, and surpassing the low estimate by a striking 122%. With 80% of lots sold, the auction showcased the robust demand for Americana collectibles. Notably, over 25% of buyers and bidders were new to the category at Christieโ€™s, indicating a growing interest in this niche market.

Christieโ€™s Sells 3.5 Carat Blue Diamond Ring for $5.5 Million

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On December 6th, Christieโ€™s Rockefeller Center in Manhattan witnessed an extravagant showcase of luxury as the Magnificent Jewels auction unfolded. This event saw fervent bidding both in-person and over the phones, culminating in a remarkable total of $38,135,080. Impressively, 90% of the 152 lots available found buyers. The auction presented an exquisite collection of rare diamonds, significant colored stones, and distinguished jewels from renowned collections.

Richard Diebenkorn’s Painting Sells for $46.4 Million at Christie’s

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In a groundbreaking Christie’s auction on November 9, 2023, Richard Diebenkorn’s seminal artwork, “Recollections of a Visit to Leningrad,” achieved a record-setting price of $46,410,000 US. Painted in 1965, this monumental canvas, measuring 181.3 x 211.1 cm, stands as a testament to Diebenkorn’s transformative encounter with the works of Henri Matisse during a rare trip to the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Diebenkorn’s journey to the Soviet Union was part of a cultural exchange initiated by President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev. During his visit, the artist immersed himself in Matisse’s masterpieces, particularly those housed in the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow and the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). This experience had a profound impact on Diebenkorn, inspiring a shift in his artistic approach towards abstracted planes of rich and vibrant color.