Auction house Christie’s reported record-breaking sales of post-war and contemporary art for January-June, helping push total sales to 2.69 billion pounds including a Picasso painting and 51 other works fetching $10 million (5.83 million pounds) or more.
Sales rose 12 percent during the first half, compared with the first half of 2013. Among the major sales were Monet’s “Nymphea”, which sold in New York for $27 million in May, and at the same auction Picasso’s “Portrait de femme (Dora Maar)”, which went for $22.6 million, including commissions.
In London, Francis Bacon’s “Portrait of George Dyer Talking” sold for 42.2 million pounds in February, and an egg by U.S. artist Jeff Koons sold for 14.1 million pounds.
Christie’s said on Wednesday that 24 percent of all buyers in the first half were new to the house.
It also reported a 70 percent increase in online activity.
For the complete article by Michael Roddy please visit Reuters