Post-War and Contemporary Art

Paris, 3-5 June 2019

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Post-War and Contemporary Art at Christie’s Paris totalled €27,963,000 across three auctions. Our spectacular offering, including Anne Tronche’s personal collection, attracted buyers from 27 countries and saw four new auction records set.

A white glove sale for the Anne Tronche Collection on 3 June saw an outstanding €2,209,000 achieved for 58 lots. George Valmier’s Figure sold for €394,000 and was the top lot of the auction, while Louise Bourgeois’ bronze sculpture Sleep soared past its pre-sale high estimate of €20,000 to make €143,750. The night’s success was a beautiful tribute to the late French art critic, recognising her unique eye and singular taste for 20th century art.

Our Evening Sale realised €17,975,000, with 81% sold by lot and 89% by value. An exceptional Nicolas de Staël landscape painting from the Drue Heinz Collection reached €2,890,000, quadrupling its pre-sale low estimate. Strong interest was seen for works by distinguished French artists: impressive results achieved for Pierre Soulages and Zao Wou-Ki and an excellent €2,110,000 realised for Germaine Richier’s La Tauromachie. Other highlights included Wifredo Lam’s Je suis, which went for €2,290,000, and Konrad Klapheck’s La partenaire dangereuse with a record-breaking €586,000.

The Day Sale totalled an encouraging €7,779,000 on 5 June, selling 90% by value. The auction saw three world auction records set: Marcello Lo Giudice’s Orange – Yellow Sun made €150,000, Thomas Rajlich’s Composition €21,250 and André Lanskoy’s Sans titre doubled its pre-sale low estimate to fetch €286,000.


Highlights

  • Pierre Soulages (né en 1919)

    Peinture 162 x 130, 13 novembre 1969
    Oil on canvas
    63 ¾ x 51 ⅛ in.
    Estimate
    €1,200,000–1,800,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du soir, Paris, 4 June 2019

  • Lucio Fontana (1899-1968)

    Concetto spaziale, [Teatrino], 1966
    Oil on canvas and lacquered wood
    24 ⅜ x 30 ⅛ x 2 ¾ in.
    Estimate
    €200,000–300,000
    Related sale
    Collection Anne Tronche, la forme d’un regard, Paris, 3 June 2019

  • Georges Valmier (1885-1937)

    Figure, 1918
    Oil and collage on canvas
    39 ⅜ x 25 ⅝ in.
    Estimate
    €200,000–300,000
    Related sale
    Collection Anne Tronche, la forme d’un regard, Paris, 3 June 2019

  • Aurélie Nemours (1910-2005)

    N+H 918, 1991
    Oil on canvas
    23 ⅝ x 23 ⅝ in.
    Estimate
    €10,000–15,000
    Related sale
    Collection Anne Tronche, la forme d’un regard, Paris, 3 June 2019

  • Bernard Rancillac (né en 1931)

    Un tour de clé, 1964
    Acrylic on canvas
    43 ¼ x 43 ¼ in.
    Estimate
    €30,000–40,000
    Related sale
    Collection Anne Tronche, la forme d’un regard, Paris, 3 June 2019

  • Asger Jorn (1914-1973)

    Pin up, 1961
    Oil on canvas
    19 ⅛ x 24 ¾ in.
    Estimate
    €40,000–60,000
    Related sale
    Collection Anne Tronche, la forme d’un regard, Paris, 3 June 2019

  • Germaine Richier (1904-1959)

    La Tauromachie, 1953
    Bronze with gold patina
    45 ⅞ x 20 ⅝ x 39 ⅜ in.
    Estimate
    €1,500,000–2,000,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du soir, Paris, 4 June 2019

    Collection Charles Aznavour

  • Jean Paul Riopelle (1923-2002)

    Untitled, 1953
    Oil on canvas
    31 ⅞ x 39 ⅜ in.
    Estimate
    €700,000–900,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du soir, Paris, 4 June 2019

  • Nicolas de Staël (1914-1955)

    Fruits (Nature morte, poires, fond gris), 1954
    Oil on canvas
    23 ⅝ x 32 in.
    Estimate
    €800,000–1,200,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du soir, Paris, 4 June 2019

  • Wifredo Lam (1902-1982)

    Je suis, 1949
    Oil on canvas
    48 ⅞ x 43 ⅛ in.
    Estimate
    €600,000–800,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du soir, Paris, 4 June 2019

    From the Collection of Jean Bonna

  • Martin Barré (1924-1993)

    86-87 – 120 x 120 – H, 1986-87
    Acrylic on canvas
    47 ¼ x 47 ¼ in.
    Estimate
    €80,000–120,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du jour, Paris, 5 June 2019

  • Hans Hartung (1904-1989)

    T1981-E33, 1981
    Acrylic on canvas
    35 x 57 ½ in.
    Estimate
    €80,000–120,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du jour, Paris, 5 June 2019

  • Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985)

    Site avec six personnages
    Acrylic on paper laid down on canvas
    26 ⅜ x 19 ⅝ in.
    Executed on the 14th of September 1981.
    Estimate
    €100,000–150,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du jour, Paris, 5 June 2019

  • Thomas Houseago (né en 1972)

    Quake mask, 1894
    Bronze and wooden base
    Bronze: 47 ½ x 28 ⅜ x 9 ⅞ in.
    Base: 47 ⅞ x 23 ⅞ x 23 ⅜ in.
    Executed in 2008, this work is number one from an edition of five and two artist's proof.
    Estimate
    €30,000–50,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du jour, Paris, 5 June 2019

  • Peter Saul (né en 1934)

    A Freekin Arrt, 1972
    Acrylic, gouache, ink and colored crayon on cardboard
    41 x 31 ⅛ in.
    Estimate
    €20,000–30,000
    Related Sale
    Art contemporain, vente du jour, Paris, 5 June 2019


Sale information


Collection Anne Tronche, la forme d’un regard

  • Viewing

    27 May – 4 June

  • Auction

    3 June, 7pm

  • Location

    Christie's Paris
    9 avenue Matignon
    Paris 8e

  • Contact

    Paul Nyzam
    pnyzam@christies.com
    +33 (0)1 40 76 84 15


Art d'après-guerre et contemporain, vente du soir

  • Viewing

    27 May – 4 June

  • Auction

    4 June, 7pm

  • Location

    Christie's Paris
    9 avenue Matignon
    Paris 8e

  • Contact

    Paul Nyzam
    pnyzam@christies.com
    +33 (0)1 40 76 84 15


Art d'après-guerre et contemporain, vente du jour

  • Viewing

    27 May – 4 June

  • Auction

    5 June, 2:30pm

  • Location

    Christie's Paris
    9 avenue Matignon
    Paris 8e

  • Contact

    Etienne Sallon
    esallon@christies.com
    +33 1 40 76 86 03


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