While much of the art world goes on hiatus during the relatively more quiet summer months, the Old Master auction realm roars to life, as reflected by the group of works and artist names that dominate the top of the July results as compiled by the Artnet Price Database,
Along with familiar names like Botticelli and Titian, there was also a fair amount of geographic diversity. This was reflected with Chinese ink paintings sold at smaller regional houses in Beijing and Hangzhou, and a top contemporary work by Australian star Brett Whitely offered in a local house outside Sydney, also landing in the top ten.
1. Titian, The Rest On the Flight Into Egypt
Titian, The Rest on the Flight Into Egypt Image courtesy Christie’s.
Estimate: $19.2 million to $25.7 million (£15 million to £20 million)
Final Price: $22.3 million (£17.6 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, July 2, 2024
2. Quentin Metsys, The Madonna of the Cherries
Quentin Metsys, The Madonna of the Cherries Image courtesy Christie’s.
Estimate: $10.2 million to $15.4 million (£8 million to £12 million)
Final Price: $13.5 million (£10.6 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, July 2, 2024
3. Frans Hals, Portrait of a gentleman of the de Wolff family, possibly Joost de Wolff
Frans Hals, Portrait of a gentleman of the de Wolff family, possibly Joost de Wolff. Image courtesy Sotheby’s.
Estimate: $5 million to $7.7 million (£4 million to £6 million)
Final Price: $7.2 million (£5.7 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, July 2, 2024
4. Sandro Botticelli, The Virgin and Child
Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi, called Botticelli, and Studio, The Virgin and Child, with a landscape beyond. Image courtesy Sotheby’s.
Estimate: $3.8 million to $6.4 million (£3 million to £5 million)
Final Price: $4.4 million (£3.4 million)
Where & When: Sotheby’s London, July 3, 2024
5. Pan Tianshou, Four Eagles (1963)
Pan Tianshou,Four Eagles
Estimate: n/a
Final Price: $4 million (CNY 28.7 million)
Where & When: Beijing Huanchan, July 6, 2024
6. Richard Parkes Bonington, A view of the Rialto in Venice
Richard Parkes Bonington, The Rialto, Venice Image courtesy Sotheby’s.
Estimate: $3.2 million to $4.5 million (£2.5 million to £3.5 million)
Final Price: $3.7 million (£2.9 million)
Where & When: Christie’s London, July 2, 2024
7. Giandomenico Tiepolo, A Set of Six Paintings depicting the Celebrated Deeds of the Porto Family of Vicenza
Giandomenico Tiepolo, A Set of Six Paintings depicting the Celebrated Deeds of the Porto Family of Vicenza. Image courtesy Sotheby’s.
Estimate: $1.9 million to $3.2 million (£1.5 million to £2.5 million)
Final Price: $2.4 million (£1.9 million)
Where & When: Sotheby’s London, July 3, 2024
8. De Vély, The Fairhaven Panels: A Polyptych with Mars, Virtu Invincibile, Minerva and Magnificence
De Vély, The Fairhaven Panels: A Polyptych with Mars, Virtu Invincibile, Minerva and Magnificence
Image courtesy Sotheby’s.
Estimate: $257,000 to $386,000 (£200,000 to £300,000)
Final Price: $2 million (£1.6 million)
Where & When: Sotheby’s London, July 3, 2024
9. Brett Whitely, Her (1967)
Brett Whitely, Her (1967)
Estimate: $1.2 million to $1.6 million (AUD 1.8 million to AUD2.4 million)
Final Price: $1.1 million (AUD 1.7 million)
Where & When: Smith and Singer Melbourne Australia, July 24, 2024
10. Huang Binhong, Landscape by West Lake (1950)
Huang Binhong, Landscape by West Lake (1950)
Estimate: $975,000 (CNY 7 million)
Final Price: $1.3 million (CNY 7.8 million)
Where & When: Cuppar Auction, Beijing, July 12, 2024