European Paintings Auction Held at Bonhams New Madison Avenue Showrooms

Sunday, 04 May 2008 08:40

New York City - Bonhams' highly anticipated April 23^rd European Paintings sale was met with frenzied bidding from an international pool of clients.  Originally scheduled to be simulcast to the auction house's Manhattan and San Francisco salesrooms, the $2.7-million sale drew such interest that staff members in the Los Angeles showroom were recruited to accommodate the tremendous number of telephone bidders, many of whom were participating from England, France, Italy and other parts of Europe.

A painting by Sir Winston Spencer Churchill titled Sunset over the Atlas Mountains  sparked strong interest.  The landscape, featuring Churchill's favorite view of the sunset on the snows of the Atlas Mountains, was a highlight of the sale piquing the interest of art collectors and history buffs alike.  After tense bidding, the work was acquired by an anonymous buyer for $420,000.

Also fetching an impressive final bid was an Orientalist scene from Franz Xavier Kosler.  Depicting an Arab market, the 24x39-inch oil on canvas is signed and dated 'Franz Kosler 1896'.  Kosler's travels to the East are said to have greatly influenced his work and attracted the attention of noted men such as Said Halim Pasha who- in addition to being one of Kosler's most important clients- went on to become the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire.  Estimated at $30/50,000 the work outperformed, selling for $216,000 after the gavel fell.

Perhaps the most surprising result of the sale related to a small oil on canvas by Sir George Clausen.  Simply described as 'The head of a young girl,' the lovely 13x10-inch painting, estimated at $20/30,000, created a bidding battle and sold well above its estimate for an astounding $330,000. Purchased for The Art Appreciation Foundation.

Specialists were pleased to see many additional attracting strong bids.  A piece by Antonino Leto, estimated at $12/18,000, more than outperformed, realizing a fantastic $102,000 at the sale; a piece by Mariano Barbasán Lagueruela fetched $78,000- more than double its high estimate of $30,000; and a scene titled 'Le Boudoir' depicting two women in a charming, intimate setting by French painter Delphin Enjolras sold well above its estimate of $10/15,000 drawing $39,000.

"We were extremely pleased with the outcome of this sale," said New York City-based European Paintings Specialist Malcolm Walker.  "Many of the lots exceeded our expectations.  Moreover, Bonhams' new facilities allow our Paintings Department the opportunity to present works in a true gallery setting, which leaves us encouraged as to the prospects of future sales here in New York."

The April 23rd sale was amongst the first to be held in Bonhams new New York showrooms at Madison and 56^th street, and was simulcast to the West Coast galleries of Bonhams & Butterfields.  The illustrated European Paintings auction catalog will remain online with prices realized for review at  www.bonhams.com/us.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK.  In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America and in  August 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer with salerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies.  Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK.  Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas.  For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to :  www.bonhams.com

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