The Day Sales: Going, Going, Gone…Not So Fast
The week of November 13th was REALLY big here in NY as the evening fall auctions were setting records and making headlines. I spent the week glued to my chair, watching the day sales at Sotheby’s and Christie’s to see … More…
Three Generation Search For Nazi Looted Degas
In 1940, Portrait of Mlle. Gabrielle Diot (1890) by Edgar Degas, along with about 400 other works were confiscated by the Nazis from Jewish art dealer Paul Rosenberg’s Paris gallery. In 1944, some of his works were among those loaded on … More…
How To Safely Navigate The Art Market: Provenance
Provenance is an interesting topic to think about since every work of art has a provenance (history of ownership), but the complete provenance may not be known. Important works (those created by artists who have always been considered historically influential) … More…
Bringing Up The Weak’s Rear – Sotheby’s American
The week of November 12th – 18th was a crazy one – I cannot remember so much art being offered in the span of 5 days. In fact, the action started on Sunday evening and finished on Friday afternoon with … More…
Christie’s Post-War & Contemporary – Hockney Makes A Big Splash, Other Works Tread Water, And A Few Drown
Last night, there were times sparks flew at Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art auction. I am sure that the auction room’s staff were a bit nervous since a weird snowstorm hit New York City in the late afternoon and caused … More…
Sotheby’s Contemporary Evening Sale – A Strong Showing
Last night, Sotheby’s offered up a strong selection of Contemporary works of art in two sales. The first, The History of Now, was one of a series the auction house is presenting that feature works from a collection built by … More…
The Ebsworth Sale – Another Strong One For Christie’s
Today, the price for good works of art has reach levels one could never have imagined a decade ago. Estimates of $10M, $20M, $50M, etc. are commonplace and many times those numbers are realized. With auction and 3rd party guarantees, … More…
Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Evening – Left Holding the [Hartley] Bag
Sotheby’s had its shot at the Impressionist and Modern market last night – if you read my review of the Christie’s sale from the night prior, it’s going to feel a bit déjà vu-ey… Just as a refresher, Christie’s moved … More…
Christie’s Impressionist/Modern Evening Sale: A-Lots Left On The Table
Twice each year, the major auction houses offer up an absurd amount of material in New York, and last night Christie’s kicked things off… most unfortunately, this evening sale would pale in comparison to recent years – putting a damper … More…
The Giacometti Boys Bring Out The White Gloves
Today we had Christie’s Day Sale, which they broke into three sales. The first was a group of Diego and Alberto Giacometti bronzes. I bet they wish last night’s sale went as well as this one. Diego had the pleasure … More…
Taking It On The Chin – Bonhams’ 19th Century
We always talk about quality vs quantity, and then there are times when you do not have the quality or the quantity. The question is: what should you do? My opinion, cancel or face the consequences. That is what happened … More…
MFAA, Inc. Gets The Boot
METROPOLITAN FINE ARTS ANTIQUES INC v. 10 WEST 57TH STREET REALTY LLC The doors are closed, the glitz and glamour have been removed and the lights are out. Let’s back up for a minute… in 2016, three dealers from Metropolitan Fine … More…
Selfie Destruction
Same story… Different work of art. Two works of art came crashing to the ground last week in Yekaterinburg, Russia, as a woman, caught on surveillance, knocked over a structure while taking a selfie. The works, an etching from the Los … More…
Forgeries – One Artist Did All Of Them?
Earlier this week Kati Marjatta Karkkiainen, 46, and Reijo Pollari, 75, art dealers from Finland, were each found guilty of 30 charges of aggravated fraud, and sentenced to four and five years’ imprisonment respectively. A further eight people were also found … More…
Art For Lunch Too – European Art (Part 2)
Christie’s followed up yesterday’s morning sale with European Art Part 2 in the afternoon… this would offer more of the lower to mid-level material. Surprisingly, the sale got off to a quick start as the first 18 lots found buyers; … More…
Comments on the Art Market – Volume 215
Volume 215 of our Comments on the Art Market was released today. In this issue we cover our Current Shows, Tales from the Dark Side, Really, Stocks, How to Safely Navigate the Art Market (Title), and the all important Art … More…