Carlos Cruz-Diez $519,000 art record set in Dallas auction

A Dallas auction saw a new record set for the work of Op artist Carlos Cruz-Diez

A new record was set for the work of Op artist Carlos Cruz-Diez in a Dallas auction on April 25, 2012.

His Physichromie 511 went to auction with a pre-sale estimate of £150,000-200,000. The work eventually sold for $519,000, achieving an increase of 159.5%.

Carlos Cruz-Diez's Physichromie 511

"We were pleased to be able to offer this important work by Carlos Cruz-Diez that has remained in a private collection since 1970. Our aggressive marketing garnered interest internationally from both private collectors and dealers alike," said Adrian Crosland, director of fine arts.

Physichromie 2000 set a new record for Cruz-Diez's artwork when it sold for $422,500 at Sotheby's in 2010. However, in the same sale the record was broken again, with Physichromie 88 selling for $518,500.

As an Optical, or Op, artist, Cruz-Diez's work relies on the movement of the viewer to achieve its purpose. His art is renowned for his usage of colour and line, which he utilises to create a sensation of movement and change as the viewer switches location.

French furniture also featured in the varied sale, with two outstanding lots soaring past estimates. The first, an E Khan Louis XVI style kidney-shaped desk, achieved $65,725 against an estimate of $8,000-12,000. This excellent sale was followed by an H Conquet Louis XVI style commode a vantaux, which made $59,750.

You can read Paul Fraser Collectibles' preview of the sale here. We also have this British George III period commode in stock for collectors of antique furniture.

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Images: Dallas Auction Gallery