The final day of Modern Art + Design presented a crowded salesroom focused on art and a catalogue with Swedish and international artists. Two of the auction’s more spectacular highlights were “Snälltåg” by Gösta Adrian-Nilsson and an abstract composition by Serge Poliakoff. The auction also presented lots exceeding one million SEK for Erik Olson and Carl Kylberg, and historically high final prices for works by Lotte Laserstein, one of the surprises of the auction.
The early and pioneering work “Snälltåg/Schnellzug” by Gösta Adrian-Nilsson from 1915 had Swedish and international interest and sold for a final price of SEK 5.3 million.
– Snälltåget is a fantastic painting, and one of the most important works by GAN Bukowskis has sold. We are delighted to have been entrusted with the sale of this work, says Andreas Rydén, Head Specialist, Art, Deputy Managing Director.
“Jonglören” by Erik Olson, with provenance from the Dillberg Family Collections, became the first lot exceeding one million SEK at the auction when it sold for almost triple the estimate (final price 2.7 million SEK). The auction also achieved lots exceeding one million SEK for Carl Kylberg (final price 2.5 million SEK) and high final prices for Swedish artists, including Sven X.et Erixson, Lotte Laserstein and records for Tor Bjurström (final price 240,500 SEK) and Åke Göranson (final price 650,000 SEK).
– The auction delivered solid results and a stable market for both art and design. We see continued high demand for art and objects with exciting provenance, says Andreas Rydén, Head Specialist, Art, Deputy Managing Director.
– It was pleasing to see that the art market remains strong. There was lively bidding both in the salesroom, on the phones and online with both Swedish and international bidders," says Lena Rydén, Head of Art, Specialist Modern and 19th century Art
Highlights from the international section included Serge Poliakoff's "Composition taches rouge et jaune" (final price SEK 5.1 million). Other highlights included a fine collage by Tadeusz Kantor(final price SEK 1 million) and a portrait by Henri Manguin (final price SEK 1.8 million), as well as high final prices for Christo & Jeanne-Claude, Lucio Fontana and others.
– Among the international works, a work by Poliakoff was a clear highlight. The early, Fauvist work by Henri Manguin, 1903-04, was hammered five times low estimate and attracted many international bidders, says Lena Rydén, Head of Art, Specialist Modern and 19th century Art
The auction prints section featured exciting works by the most prominent names such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Andy Warhol. Swedish and international bidders were bidding intensely late into the evening.
– The auction results show, once again, that we can present a print department of fantastic quality and that the Swedish provenance appeals to collectors worldwide. Warhol and Picasso continued to be popular with high prices for several works, where Andy Warhol's Mick Jagger and Goethe ended at 1 million SEK and 825'000 SEK, respectively. It was also great that we could offer an unusual connoisseur work, "Ecce Homo" by George Grosz, which resulted in a world record at auction for a print with a final price of 749'000 SEK, says Marcus Kinge, Specialist Prints.
Consignments are underway for upcoming auctions - the Nordic region's leading Fine Art auction for Modern Art + Design is strengthening its position with increasing international interest.
The results show that Bukowskis, together with Bonhams Network, reaches an international audience and has a selection that attracts buyers and sellers of the highest calibre.
As part of the Bonhams network, Bukowskis reach a global market with millions of customers through a combination of our digital platforms and auction houses in Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Sydney.
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