Fine Art Blog

Category: Landscape Art

  • Impressionist and Modern Art auction at Christie’s Fine Art Auction House (London)

    On 18th of June a sale of ‘Impressionist and Modern Art’ at Christie’s Art Auction House, London, reached a landmark total for value of art sold: £121,127,200/ $239,952,983 / €178,056,984, beating the all time total for an auction sale in Europe. I think the total is incredible & shows how strong the top end of the World’s art market remains & the demand for the French impressionist Claude Monet’s work. (see below)

    Some interesting stats as well; buyers by country (by lot) were:
    Europe (excluding UK) 56%, United Kingdom (UK) 22%, Americas 21%, Asia 1%.

    ‘Waterloo Bridge, temps couvert, 1904′ by Claude Monet:

    Waterloo Bridge, temps couvert by artist Claude Monet

    ‘Waterloo Bridge, temps couvert, 1904′ by Claude Monet (1840-1926) was the top lot of the evening was which sold for £17,940,000/ $35,539,140 / €26,497,380, the second highest price reached for a Monet in £ Sterling at an auction & the highest ever Dollar $ price.

    The evening’s auctioneer Jussi Pylkkänen, who is also President of Christie’s Europe, stated:

    “This evening’s sale at Christie’s was a landmark event in the history of the art market, realising the highest total for any auction ever held in Europe. The international art market congregated at Christie’s saleroom in London this evening as an ever increasing international group of collectors fought for the exceptional selection of works. The top work of the sale was bought by a private American collector, with 6 of the other top 10 works were won by private European collectors.

    ‘Les arceaux de roses, Giverny (Les arceaux fleuris), 1913’ by Claude Monet:

    Les arceaux de roses, Giverny (Les arceaux fleuris) by artist Claude Monet

    The above painting: ‘Les arceaux de roses, Giverny (Les arceaux fleuris)’ by Claude Monet was lot 11. Painted in 1913, this oil on canvas is 32 ¼’’ x 37’’ inches in size and was estimated at £9,000,000 – 12,000,000. In the end it sold for a staggering: £8,980,000/ $17,789,380/ €13,263,460.

    Olivier Camu, International Director and Head of Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie’s, London stated:

    “Today’s results reflect the continuing confidence and depth of the art market, with thirty works selling for over £1 million and forty-six works over $1 million. The results underlines Christie’s position as the world’s leading art business as we continue to present the best works of art and to invest in the new markets of Russia, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the traditional markets of Europe and North America. We look forward to tomorrow’s Impressionist & Modern Art Day Sales as well as to Wednesday’s Evening Sale of Post War & Contemporary Art.”

    Further reading/images:

    http://www.christies.com/features/jun07/7404/overview.asp
    http://www.christies.com/features/jun07/7404/gallery/overview.asp

    thank you

    Russell

  • Irish landscape artist Philip Gray

    I have been studying the limited editions of newly published Irish artist Philip Gray, who is now considered to be one of Ireland’s most celebrated living artists.

    These are dramatic and powerful images that have a resonance all of their own, unlike other limited editions that have come before.

    Reverie I by artist Philip Gray

    While established UK (published) landscape artists, such as Lawrence Coulson, have their own style of landscape painting that they are known and loved for, Philip Gray is taking that ‘style’ and departing on his own artistic path.

    Most of his current paintings display a movement, within the sea or sky, showing dramatic colour changes that really make the picture come to life & evolve infront of your eyes.

    It maybe that the colours (often very deep ones) & the combination of colours that he paints with, in themselves, are key elements in creating his own distinct style. Personally I find this sort of work very appealing.

    World Of Light III by artist Philip Gray

    Philip was recently voted Up & Coming Published Artist 2007 in May this year
    at The Art & Framing Industry Awards. Please see my other post: The Art & Framing Industry Awards – 2007

    Therefore he must be appealing to quite a broad spectrum of art buyers.

    thank you

    Russell