Particularly brilliant was the evening sale on November 26th which saw the hall respond with a determination not seen for many seasons and which made it possible to record the best session dedicated to Modern & Contemporary Art since November 2008.
In 2013, there was a growth of +11,8% in Italian customers compared to the previous year.
Keeping the annual offer around 300 lots, it should also be emphasized that 60,4% of these were sold for figures higher than the maximum estimates indicated in the catalog (in 2012 it was 50,35%), with a peak of 67% on the evening of November 26th.
2013 was the year of Enrico Castellani who, with 13 works at auction, 9 of which sold – and all above the maximum estimate – achieved an annual total of 2.785.000 Euros.
It may be interesting to point out that the Concetto Spaziale, magnificent glimpse of 1965 by Lucio Fontana – the undisputed king of the contemporary art market in Italy – cover of the November catalog (Ill. above) – was sold for 793.500 Euros. In exactly 10 years, this same work went from a price of 143.084 Euros, made in 2003 in our cinemas, to the aforementioned award – declares Lotti. And he continues – Milan in 2013 increased the international values of some Italian artists by registering as many as 6 auction records (see the list on the following page).
Auction: 22 – 23 May 2013
EUR 475,500 – (estimate) EUR 250,000 – 350,000
Lucio Fontana, Spatial Concept, I Quanta, 1959, 36×48 cm
EUR 217,500 – (estimate) EUR 100,000 – 150,000
Enrico Castellani, Corallo, acrylic on everted canvas, 2008, cm 120×150
EUR 193,500 – (estimate) EUR 40,000 – 60,000
Lucio Fontana, Jewel: bracelet, 1964, 5×8,5×6,5 cm
November 26st and 27nd 2013
EUR 421,500 – (estimate) EUR 150,000 – 200,000
44, Mario Schifano, Palo Alto, enamel on paper laid down on canvas, 160×120 cm, 1960
EUR 133,500 – (estimate) EUR 60,000 – 80,000
Agostino Bonalumi, Grey, shaped canvas and vinyl tempera, 1984
2014 will be introduced by the New York days dedicated to Ancient Painting (January 29-30) which numbers among the most fascinating paintings a large portrait of Gyrfalco lovingly taken from three sides – perhaps a fearsome female – portrayed around the middle of the sixteenth century by a Maestro Lombardo (near Arcimboldo or Figino) for the Duke of Mantua as a tribute to his mastery of hunting (val. $700-1.000.000).
Modern & Contemporary Art, 22-23 May 2013
Total 6.409.125 Euros – Lots 151
Modern & Contemporary Art, 26-27 Nov.2013
Total 9.515.800 Euros – Lots 158
Modern & Contemporary Art, 24-25 May 2012
Total 9.862.400 Euros – Lots 186
Modern & Contemporary Art, 27-28 Nov.2012
Total 5,348,225 Euros – Lots 135
