Carol Vogel comments on the sale of “Paysage de Banlieue,” a 1905-06 Vlaminck landscape that Steven Cohen is selling at Christie’s this season. It’s the second major work that Cohen has put on the market in the same season, his Warhol Liz is on offer at Phillips with a third-party guarantee (fascinating that Cohen is taking risk off for that work.)

When prominent collectors sell, there’s always a question of why. Adam Lindemann answered that briefly at the Artelligence conference last week when he mentioned that the decision to sell often comes after a string of recent purchases. Vogel hints at a similar pattern with Cohen:

This season, Mr. Cohen will be among the most high-profile sellers. While he declined to comment on his decision to auction the Vlaminck, experts familiar with his holdings say he has been buying more contemporary works recently. Christie’s expects the Vlaminck will sell for $18 million to $25 million.

“In recent seasons we’ve seen the demand from collectors worldwide for prime period Fauvre pictures increase exponentially,” said Conor Jordan, who runs Christie’s Impressionist and modern art department in New York. “These people are attracted to the combination of modernity and accessibility.”

Inside Art: Selling Vlaminck and Liz (New York Times)