Art Market Monitor

November Sales to Feature Cubist Arlequin

The auction houses are making the most today’s masterpiece market. Big names from the most recognizable moments in art history sell well. That’s brought some great Impressionist, Modern and Expressionist art to the auction block. This morning, Sotheby’s announces that it has a 1909 Picasso that hasn’t been exhibited for 40 years to sell. Arlequin is estimated at $30 million and will be in the November 3rd sale at Sotheby’s.

Carol Vogel covers the announcement and reminds us that Yves Saint Laurent’s collection, to be sold by Christie’s in Paris next year, has a Picasso Cubist work from closer to the peak of the movement in 1914.

WWD also has the Picasso that is expected to make $59 million. The sale will be held in Paris:

While Bergé acknowledged Paris is not the best market for such a sale, the city was chose because the works belong to two Frenchmen, who made their fortunes in France. Another motivation is to remind the world the French art market does exist.

Faced with a choice between selling the estimated $300-$400 million collection or donating it to a museum, Bergé chose to sell because:

“I believe in the circulation of works of art,” he said.

Sotheby’s Arlequin Press Release

Inside Art: Two Picassos (New York Times)

Yves Saint Laurent Artworks Could Net $440 Million (WWD)

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