Sotheby’s Prints & Multiples sale was dominated by Warhol, Picasso and Japser Johns with the top ten lots either works or portfolios of the three artists. Given the torpor in the Warhol market, the prints show the durability of the artists images. But the trend has some worrying indications that the overall art market remains too concentrated in a few “investible” names. The sale totaled $10.8m with 84% of the lots sold.
- The top lot of the sale was Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn) (F. & S. II.23-31) from the collection of Margot Hahn, which fetched $1,092,500.
- a rare complete portfolio of 0-9 (ULAE 19) by Jasper Johns from the Collection of Robert & Jane Rosenblum achieved a record price for a suite of lithographs by the artist. Chased by two bidders on the telephone and one in the room, the 1960-1963 lithographs from early in his career – of which four were specially replaced by Johns when they were stolen from the Rosenblum’s home – sold for a final price of $972,500, in excess of their $800,000 high estimate.
- Nearly 60 lots of ceramics by Pablo Picasso, with over 50 lots from the Estate of Wagner Tielens, were 94.8% sold by lot, the group achieved a total of $1.7 million, in line with its high estimate.
- The top Picasso ceramic was Grand Vase aux Femmes Voilées (A.R. 116), a large terre de faïence vase measuring 26 inches that sold for $444,500.
