Claude Monet, Le Grand Canal (1908), via Sotheby’s

Picking up where last week’s Old Masters auctions in New York City left off, the art market’s attention turns to London this week, as Christie’s and Sotheby’s prepare a set of Impressionist and Modern auctions.  

Wassily Kandinsky, Moskau II (1916), via Sotheby’s

The sales begin on Tuesday, February 3rd, with a 27-lot sale at Sotheby’s.  The small scale of the night’s offering is countered with the strength of the work, as indicated by the auction’s top lot, a Claude Monet from 1908, carrying a £20 million to £30 million estimate, followed close behind by another Monet priced at £9 million to £12 million.  The sale also includes a Matisse portrait expected to fetch £9 million to £12 million, alongside a glowing Kandinsky from 1916, estimated at £6 million to £8 million.

Henri Matisse, Odalisque Au Fauteuil Noir (1942), Via Sotheby’s

Juan Gris, La Lampe (1914), Via Christie’s

The following evening, February 4th, will see Christie’s taking its turn at the block.  By comparison, the second evening’s sale lacks the sort of high-priced fireworks that Sotheby’s seems determined to achieve since its battle for control with Dan Loeb last year, but the work on sale is still exceedingly strong, putting forth a 44-lot sale topped by Paul Cézanne’s Vue Sur L’estaque Et Le Château D’if (est. £8 million– £12 million).  An Amedeo Modigliani portrait, Deux Filles, is another a top lot, with a presale estimate of £6 million to £8 million.  A Juan Gris painting,  La Lampe, is also near the top of the auction list, with a presale estimate of £2.5 million to £3.5 million.

Paul Cézanne, Vue Sur L’estaque Et Le Château D’if (circa 1881-1885), Christie’s

Alberto Giacometti, Diego Au Chandail (1954), Via Christie’s

Carrying the art world into next week’s highly watched Contemporary sales, the Impressionist and Modern Art Auctions will be covered on our Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920), Les Deux Filles (1918), Via Christie’s

—D. Creahan

Read more:
Sotheby’s Modernist and Impressionist Sale [Sotheby’s]
Christie’s Modernist and Impressionist Sale [Christie’s]

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