Damien Hirst, I am Become Death, Shatterer of Worlds, 2006 (est. 2.5-3.5 million GBP, realized 2.2 million GBP), via Christies.com
Thursday’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening auction brought in a total of 19,585,400 GBP, within the presale estimate of 15.9-22.7 million GBP. The auction had a sell through rate of 86% by lot and 92% by value, with 7 of the 51 lots bought in. While 40% of the lots exceeded their high presale estimates, the featured lot did not reach its low presale estimate. Damien Hirst‘s I am Become Death, Shatterer of Worlds carried a presale estimate of 2.5-3.5 million GBP and sold for 2.2 million GBP. All sale totals stated in this article include buyer’s premiums and come directly from Christie’s official website or courtesy of The Baer Faxt.
more results and images after the jump…
Nicolas de Staël, Nature morte en gris, 1955 (est. 1 – 1.5 million GBP, realized 937,250 GBP), via Christies.com
Nicolas de Staël‘s Nature morte en gris, the lot with the third highest presale estimate sold to Helly Nahmad Gallery for 937,250 GBP, just under its low presale estimate of 1 million GBP.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Negro Period, 1986 (est. 1.2 – 1.8 million GBP, realized 1.5 million GBP), via Christies.com
Negro Period by Jean-Michel Basquiat sold to the dealer Daniella Luxembourg for 1.5 million GBP against a low estimate of 1.2 million GBP.
Takashi Murakami, Kaikai Kiki, 2005 (est. 400,000-600,000 GBP, realized 1,945,250 GBP), via Christies.com
Luxembourg also picked up Takashi Murakami‘s Kaikai Kiki for a whopping 1,945,250 GBP against a presale estimate of 400,000-600,000 GB
.
Kelley Walker, Black Star Press (rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise); Black Star, Black Press, Star Press, 2006 (est. 500,000-700,000 GBP, realized 385,250 GBP), via Christies.com
Ged Quinn, The Saints Go Marching to All the Popular Tunes, 2007 (est. 20,000-30,000 GBP, realized 109,250 GBP), via Christies.com
Liza Lou, The Vessel, 2005-2006 (est. 120,000-180,000 GBP, realized 289,250 GBP), via Christies.com
Roman Opalka, (i) Opalka 1965/1-**** detail-4875812-4894230 (ii) Opalka 1965/1-**** detail-4894231-4914799 (iii) Opalka 1965/1-**** detail-4914800-4932016, 1965 (est. 400,000-600,000 GBP, realized 802,850 GBP), via Christies.com
Otto Piene, Goldgold, 1959-1965 (est. 150,000-200,000 GBP, realized 337,250 GBP), via Christies.com
Five artists records were set: Kelley Walker‘s triptych sold for 385,250 GBP against a presale estimate of 500,000-700,000 GBP. Ged Quinn‘s take on Claude Lorrain’s Landscape with the rest on the Flight into Egypt (Noon) sold to the dealer Ivor Braka for 109,250 GBP against a high presale estimate of 30,000 GBP. Liza Lou‘s The Vessel sold for 289,250 GBP, Roman Opalka‘s tripych realized 802,850 GBP, and Otto Piene‘s Goldgold brought in 337,250 GBP.
Andy Warhol, Jackie, 1965 (est. 500,000-700,000 GBP, realized 481,250 GBP), via Christies.com
Zeng Fanzhi, Pope, 2005 (est. 300,000-400,000 GBP, bought in), via Christies.com
And Warhol‘s Jackie realized 481,250 GBP against its presale estimate of 500,000-700,000 GBP. Works by Zeng Fanzhi, Bridget Riley, Maria-Helena Vieira da Silva, Antoni Tàpies, Martin Kobe, and César were bought in.
Bridget Riley, Shadow Rhythm, 1989 (est. 400,000-600,000 GBP, bought in), via Christies.com
Like the Phillips sale on Wednesday, the Christie’s sale performed within expectations, with some pleasant surprises and a few underwhelming performances. Tomorrow’s auction at Sotheby’s will conclude this series of Contemporary Evening auctions. Check back for coverage.
-J. Mizrachi
Related Links:
Christie’s Results [Christie's]
Christie’s Evening Auctions of Post-War and Contemporary Art and the Italian Sale Realise $61.2 Million [Art Daily]
Hirst Sale Hit with Plagiarism Protest [ArtNet]
Hirst Below Estimate at UK Art Sale, Marini Record [Reuters]
