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Event date SPRING 2025 -
Event location Paris
The week of 20th and 21st Century Art sales in Paris stood out for its remarkable momentum, achieving a total of €58 million. Twelve works exceeded the €1 million mark, and overall results reflected strong demand: 92% of lots were sold, representing 99% of the total value, with more than half fetching prices above their high estimates. A true cultural highlight, the exhibitions organised by Christie’s throughout the week welcomed nearly 4,000 visitors, drawn by an exceptional selection of Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary masterpieces.
The sale of the Lise and Roland Funck-Brentano Collection, which totalled close to €6.5 million, was notably driven by a striking wooden relief by Sophie Taeuber-Arp. Appearing at auction for the first time, it was sold for over €3 million, setting a new world record for the artist. A group of six previously unseen works by Victor Vasarely also met with strong interest. 70% of the lots sold above their high estimates.
Another highlight of the week, the sale of the former Henri Canonne Collection, exceeded €5 million. Two major works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir stood out: La Leçon d’écriture and Nu sur un fauteuil, the latter achieving €2.4 million — three times its initial estimate.
The Evening Sale alone achieved more than €30 million, with Jane Avril au Divan Japonais by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec setting a new national record for the artist at €5.3 million. Another standout Impressionist piece, Un Balcon, Boulevard Haussmann by Gustave Caillebotte, reached €2.7 million. In the Contemporary Art section, a work by Kazuo Shiraga surpassed the €1 million threshold, while a piece by Jean Dubuffet soared to €1.6 million.
Presented for the first time in the Spring, the Thinking Italian section featured 33 major works from the 20th-century Italian art scene, offered across the Evening and Day Sales, and realised €6.5 million in total. Notable results included a white single cut by Lucio Fontana, which sold for €1.1 million, and a signature embroidery by Alighiero Boetti, Segno e disegno, which achieved €756,000.
The 20th/21st Century Art Sales continue in May with four key moments. The Design Sale, encompassing nearly 250 lots and spanning a century of creativity from Gerrit Rietveld to Hervé van der Straeten, will take place on 21 May. It will be preceded by two online sales running from 15 to 27 May — one dedicated to Impressionist and Modern Art, the other to Contemporary Art. On 28 May, the spotlight will turn to the private collection of Helga and Edzard Reuter, a rare ensemble reflecting a deep commitment to contemporary creation.
Another highlight of the week, the sale of the former Henri Canonne Collection, exceeded €5 million. Two major works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir stood out: La Leçon d’écriture and Nu sur un fauteuil, the latter achieving €2.4 million — three times its initial estimate.
The Evening Sale alone achieved more than €30 million, with Jane Avril au Divan Japonais by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec setting a new national record for the artist at €5.3 million. Another standout Impressionist piece, Un Balcon, Boulevard Haussmann by Gustave Caillebotte, reached €2.7 million. In the Contemporary Art section, a work by Kazuo Shiraga surpassed the €1 million threshold, while a piece by Jean Dubuffet soared to €1.6 million.
Presented for the first time in the Spring, the Thinking Italian section featured 33 major works from the 20th-century Italian art scene, offered across the Evening and Day Sales, and realised €6.5 million in total. Notable results included a white single cut by Lucio Fontana, which sold for €1.1 million, and a signature embroidery by Alighiero Boetti, Segno e disegno, which achieved €756,000.
The 20th/21st Century Art Sales continue in May with four key moments. The Design Sale, encompassing nearly 250 lots and spanning a century of creativity from Gerrit Rietveld to Hervé van der Straeten, will take place on 21 May. It will be preceded by two online sales running from 15 to 27 May — one dedicated to Impressionist and Modern Art, the other to Contemporary Art. On 28 May, the spotlight will turn to the private collection of Helga and Edzard Reuter, a rare ensemble reflecting a deep commitment to contemporary creation.
© Adagp, Paris 2025