Following the astounding price of $106.5 million achieved for Pablo Picasso's Nude, Green Leaves, and Bust from the Collection of Mrs. Sidney F Brody, Christie's has announced its "near-perfect record" for the complete sale of the Brody collection.
Aside from the Picasso, the auction included an additional 52 items offered in today's Impressionist and Modern Works on Paper sale.
All but one lot in the Brody collection of 79 lots was sold, bringing the final tally to $225,899,900, with sell-through rates of 99% by lot and 99% by value.
Another highlight in the sale was Bouquet d'oeillets aux amoureux en vert by Marc Chagall (1887-1985), signed "Marc Chagall 1950."
Typical of Chagall's work from the 1950s, the work depicts a full bouquet of brilliant and vibrant colour which seems to spring from a viridian ground.
Measuring 31 3/8 x 23 inches, the oil and gouache on paper sold for $722,500 including buyer's premium, above its estimate of $400,000-600,000.
 A section of Chagall's Bouquet d'oeillets aux amoureux en vert |
"When Matisse dies, Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what colour really is," Pablo Picasso himself once famously said.
In other Chagall news, the artist's large painting entitled La Revolution is auctioning at Bonhams in June, estimated at £1.2m-£1.8m.
As a pioneer of modernism, Chagall created some of the best-known paintings of our time and has been referred to as "the quintessential Jewish artist of the twentieth century."
Another Chagall is available on the market as a perfect entry-level investment for collectors: a superb print featuring a colourful woman dancing, signed by the artist himself, valued at £895 ($1,475).
"Today's sale saw a continuation of the spirited bidding that drove the Brody Picasso to a new record for any artwork sold at auction," said Conor Jordan, Head of the Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie's New York.
"At a total of $225.9 million, the Collection of Mrs. Sidney F. Brody stands as the most valuable single-owner collection offered at Christie's New York to date."
Portions of the proceeds from the sale of Brody collection will be donated the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, where the late Mrs Brody was a guiding patron.
The funds will support the Huntington's goals of encouraging research, and promoting education, arts, humanities and botanical sciences.
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