Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Bonhams Sells Fragonard Portrait for £17m

December 6, 2013 by Marion Maneker

Fragonard ii
Bonhams has sold the highest priced Old Master painting this year with one of Fragonard’s fantasy portraits. Only 15 of those exist with two others remaining private hands:

A major work by the 18th century French artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Portrait of François-Henri d’Harcourt, sold for £17,106,50 this evening (5 December) setting a world record price for the artist at auction. (The previous record was £5,300,000 for a painting sold in London in 1999).

The painting was the leading work in the sale of paintings and sculpture from the renowned collection of the German philanthropist, the late Dr Gustav Rau which raised more than £19 million. The proceeds will be used to benefit the Foundation of the German Committee for UNICEF – for the children of the world

Fragonard’s fantasy portraits – often depicting friends and acquaintances – were painted quickly with bold, fluid brush work which anticipated the Impressionists in bravura and technique. This style was referred to by some contemporaries as the artist’s, ‘swordplay of the brush’.  The Portrait of François-Henri d’Harcourt is unusual among Fragonard’s fantasy portraits because the subject is identified. Many of the other portraits are personifications of the arts rather than representations of named individuals.

Also in the sale was a 15th century depiction of the Crucifixion by an unknown German artist sold for £1,082,500 ‘Le grand noyer à l’Hermitage’ by Camille Pissarro  was sold for £314,500 against an estimate of £200,000-300,000.

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Bonhams Contemporary Sale = £4.4mBonhams Contemporary Sale = £4.4m
  • Bonhams London PWC = £5.285mBonhams London PWC = £5.285m
  • School of London—Kossoff & Auerbach—Leads Bonhams  March SaleSchool of London—Kossoff & Auerbach—Leads Bonhams March Sale
  • Bonhams Rediscovers Nigerian Icon for February SaleBonhams Rediscovers Nigerian Icon for February Sale
  • Chinese Chairs Spike 35x High Estimate at BonhamsChinese Chairs Spike 35x High Estimate at Bonhams
  • Bonhams Africa Now = £1.46mBonhams Africa Now = £1.46m

Filed Under: Auction Results Tagged With: Bonhams

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor
 

Loading Comments...