The World of Picasso auction, the catalog of which includes paintings, graphics, unique ceramics, circulation works (ceramics and graphics), a photograph, and an artist’s palettes – only 205 lots, was expected to arouse great interest among lovers and collectors of Picasso’s work.
As a result of ten-day trading, 188 lots were acquired by new owners, and the total amount of art sold was £ 4.83 million ($ 6.1 million). At the same time, 83% of all lots sold went more expensive than the upper estimate.
The most expensive item sold at these auctions was the large (66 cm tall) ceramic vase Grand Vase aux Femmes Nues – one of 25 items produced at the Maduro factory in 1950, which the new owner got for £ 435 thousand ($ 540 thousand) ).
Second place in the price rating of lots sold was taken by a sketch on paper for the composition Three Women, executed by Picasso in 1907-1908 and originating from the collection of Marina Picasso. Preliminary estimated at £ 30 thousand – £ 40 thousand, the picture was sold for £ 325 thousand. ($ 402 thousand), almost 11 times higher than the starting price.
In third place was another graphic work from the collection of Marina Picasso – a sketch for the famous painting by the artist of the African (Cezanne) period The Pond (The Reservoir at Horta de Ebro, New York), painted in 1909. The sketch, dated in the summer of 1909, was put up for auction with an estimate of £ 20 thousand – £ 30 thousand and in 34 steps reached the final price of £ 237.5 thousand ($ 294 thousand).
The artist’s used palettes were very successful with bidders. Their prices soared dramatically, an order of magnitude higher than the estimate. The most expensive of them was the palette, dated June 17, 1961, valued at £ 4 thousand. – £ 6 thousand. In 39 steps, its price rose from the start to £ 56.25 thousand ($ 69.6 thousand).
Thus, we can rightfully say that the past auction of The World of Picasso is one of those cases when the result not only justifies but also exceeds previously announced expectations and estimates.
