London Evening Sales Offer Bargains, But No Fireworks
The international art market is currently experiencing uncertainty due to geopolitical concerns. The recent Old Master evening auctions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s in London reflected this nervous atmosphere.
Christie’s auction on Tuesday raised £43.6m from 24 lots, below the pre-sale estimate. The highlight was Titian’s “Rest on the Flight into Egypt” which sold for £17.6m. Quentin Metsys’s “Madonna of the Cherries” also drew attention and sold for £10.7m to the Getty Museum.
Sotheby’s auction the following evening saw Botticelli’s “The Virgin and Child” sell for £3.4m, below its estimated value. Overall, the market showed hesitancy and caution, with fewer sales and lower prices than previous years.
Both auction houses faced challenges in finding high-quality material for sale, reflecting the current difficulties in the art market. It is suggested that smaller, high-quality auctions may be more successful than larger sales with lower-value items.
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Cillian O’Rourke, studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, where he majored in Visual Communication. His work spans graphic design, illustration, and branding, with a distinct minimalist style that emphasizes simplicity and impact. Cillian has collaborated with international brands and runs his own design studio focusing on creative solutions for startups.