The cold and dreary month of February didn’t produce a whole lot of sparks in the world of art auctions, but there were some significant sales around the world.
Pablo Picasso dominated the market with three of the most expensive 15 lots sold last month, including the 1958 portrait , which fetched a respectable £16.9 million ($20.4 million), within its presale estimate of £15 million to £20 million ($18 to $24 million) at Christie’s London.
Below, see the full list of the top 15 most expensive lots sold at auction around the world in February 2023.
Pablo Picasso, Femme dans un rocking-chair (Jacqueline) (1958). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Estimate: £15 million to £20 million ($18 to $24 million)
Final Price: £16.9 million ($20.4 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, February 28, 2023
Paul Cézanne, L’Aqueduc du canal de Verdon au nord d’Aix (1882–83). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Estimate: £6 million to 9 million ($7.3 to $11 million)
Final Price: £7.2 million ($8.7 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, February 28, 2023
Qing court painters’ joint painting, longevity intention book, album (twelve openings) . Courtesy of Poly International Auction Co., Ltd.
Estimate: CNY45 million to 60 million ($6.5 million to $8.7 million)
Final Price: CNY51.7 million ($7.5 million)
Where & When: Poly International Auction Co., Ltd., February 23, 2023
René Magritte, Le retour (ca. 1950). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Estimate: £4 million to £6 million ($4.8 million to $7.2 million)
Final Price: £6.1 million ($7.41 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, February 28, 2023
Tang Yin, Songgang Scroll, Hand Scroll. Courtesy of Poly International Auction Co., Ltd.
Estimate: CNY35 million to 50 million ($5 million to $7 million)
Final Price: CNY51.2 million ($7.4 million)
Where & When: Poly International Auction Co., Ltd., February 23, 2023
Zhang Jizhi, Essay on the Book Mirror Heart. Courtesy of Poly International Auction Co., Ltd.
Estimate: CNY18 million to 28 million ($2.6 million to $4 million)
Final Price: CNY48.9 million ($7.1 million)
Where & When: Poly International Auction Co., Ltd., February 23, 2023
Wu Guanzhong, Lijiang Xin (1975). Courtesy of Poly International Auction Co., Ltd.
Estimate: CNY40 million to 60 million ($5.8 million to $8.7 million)
Final Price: CNY48.3 million ($7.1 million)
Where & When: Poly International Auction Co., Ltd., February 21, 2023
Liu Haisu, Huang Yue Xiongzi Jingxin (1983). Courtesy of Beijing Inzone International Auction Co., Ltd.
Estimate: CNY6 million to 8 million ($872,461 to $1.2 million)
Final Price: CNY46.8 million ($6.8 million)
Where & When: Beijing Inzone International Auction Co., Ltd., February 21, 2023
René Magritte, Souvenir de voyage (1958). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Estimate: £2.5 million to £3.5 million ($3 million to $4.2 million)
Final Price: £5.6 million ($6.7 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, February 28, 2023
Pablo Picasso, Mousquetaire I (Espagnol du XVllème siècle) (1967). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Estimate: £4.5 million to 6.5 million ($5.4 to $7.8 million)
Final Price: £5.44 million ($6.6 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, February 28, 2023
Pablo Picasso, Femme assise dans un fauteuil tressé, en gris (Françoise) (1953). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Estimate: £6 million to £9 million ($7.2 million to $10.8 million)
Final Price: £5.33 million ($6.4 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, February 28, 2023
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Jeune fille endormie (La dormeuse) (ca. 1880). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Estimate: £2 million to £3 million ($2.4 million to $3.6 million)
Final Price: £4.96 million ($6 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, February 28, 2023
Vincent van Gogh, Kop van een vrouw (Gordina de Groot) (Head of a Woman [Gordina de Groot]) (1885). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Estimate: £1 million to £2 million ($1.2 million to $2.4 million)
Final Price: £4.8 million ($5.9 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, February 28, 2023
Zhang Daqian, Viewing Clouds on Huashan Mountain (1936). Courtesy of Beijing Inzone International Auction Co., Ltd.
Estimate: CNY6 million to 8 million ($8.7 million to $11.6 million)
Final Price: CNY40 million ($5.8 million)
Where & When: Beijing Inzone International Auction Co., Ltd., February 21, 2023
Qi Baishi, Jiahui Workworm Book, Mirror Heart. Courtesy of Beijing Poly International Auction Co. Ltd.
Estimate: CNY18 million to 22 million ($872,461 to $1.2 million)
Final Price: CNY40.02 million ($5.8 million)
Where & When: Poly International Auction Co., Ltd., February 22, 2023
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