Great Italian masters of the 20th century and works of the highest calibre conquer the market.
A memorable auction of Modern and Contemporary Art on 25 and 26 November at Il Ponte, which closed with total sales of over € 8.6 million, 91% sell-through rate, and 210% increase on starting prices, confirming the vitality of the Italian market in an increasingly competitive international context.
Taking centre stage was the double record achieved by Amedeo Modigliani’s magnificent “Portrait de Beatrice Hastings”, sold for € 2,816,000: a new milestone in the auction house’s history and an unprecedented result in Italian auctions for a work by the artist. Yet another success for the rigorous work of the department led by Freddy Battino for the past fifteen years.
Lot 30
Amedeo Modigliani "Portrait de Beatrice Hastings" 1915 circa, oil on cardboard, cm 52,5x37,7. Signed lower right.
Sold € 2.816.000
During the two intense days of bidding, there emerged a general appreciation for a catalogue built around museum-quality works that captured the attention of over 25,000 online users and saw compelling participation with active bidding throughout the entire sale.
Among the highlights marking the key moments of the auction were the solid results of major Italian 20th-century artists: Giorgio de Chirico, with “Trovatore” from 1945 (lot 29, €422,400), and Osvaldo Licini with “Angelo ribelle” su fondo rosso from 1950 (lot 33, €384,000), a work that confirms the growing interest in the artist’s mature period.
Lot 29
Giorgio de Chirico "Il trovatore" 1945, oil on canvas, cm 55x35. Signed lower left. Signed and titled on the reverse.
Sold € 422.400
Lot 33
Osvaldo Licini, "Angelo ribelle su fondo rosso" 1950, oil on wood, cm 60x70,5.
Sold € 384.000
Lucio Fontana reaffirmed the international strength of his language with “Concetto spaziale” from 1966–67 (lot 78, €486,400), a result consistent with the more selective market demand focused on works from his golden period.
Also notable was the section dedicated to Informal Art, with Alberto Burri’s “Combustione” from 1964 (lot 40, €307,200).
Lot 78
Lucio Fontana, "Concetto spaziale" 1966-1967, oil on canvas, gold, cm 92x73.
Sold € 486.400
Lot 40
Alberto Burri, "Combustione" 1964, plastic, acrylic, vinyl, paper, combustion on cardboard on pressed cardboard, cm 49,5x35,5.
Sold € 307.200
The sculpture section recorded equally exciting hammer prices, including the striking new world record for Alberto Viani with “Nudo al sole” from 1956 (lot 79, €243,200).
Alighiero Boetti remains highly appreciated, with the poetic embroidered triptych “Ammazzare il tempo” from 1979 (lot 99, €217,600); his textile works continue to be at the centre of global collectors’ interest.
Lot 79
Alberto Viani "Nudo al sole" 1956, bronze, cm 130x75x100. Signed.
Sold € 243.200
Lot 99
Alighiero Boetti "Ammazzare il tempo" 1979, embroidery on fabric; three elements; cm 24x24 ciascuno.
Sold € 217.600
Finally, there was strong momentum in the Roman School segment, with the rare "Paesaggio anemico" from 1965 by Mario Schifano (lot 98, €102,400).
Completing the highly positive performance was the excellent response on 26 November for the session dedicated to Artist Prints and Multiples, a segment experiencing growth even among the new generations of collectors.
Lot 98
Mario Schifano "Paesaggio anemico" 1965, enamel and graphite on canvas, cm 100x80.
Sold € 102.400