Indications from a recent Old Master art sale at a major auction house suggest the world’s appetite for historical masterpieces is hotter than the July sun.
From July 5 through 6, Sotheby’s in London hosted a rather successful sale of Old Master paintings, sculpture, works of art and drawings — with buyers hailing from all corners of the globe. Eight auction records were set and over $21 million was realized during the July 6 Old Masters Evening sale. However, the story of the night was the fact that buyers were representing some 27 countries, an increase from the numbers last year. All told, over 50 countries were represented during the sale and 40 percent more people participated in the auction.
Nearly half the lots sold were above estimates. Highlights included Jean-Etienne Liotard’s “A Dutch Girl at Breakfast” — which sold for $5,694,784 — and Jan Brueghel the Elder’s “Still Life of Flowers in a Stoneware Vase,” which realized $4,970,816. An outstanding oil sketch by Peter Paul Rubens, “The Chariot of Apollo,” was had for $1,480,256. To learn more, visit Art Daily.
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The World Is Collecting Art
