Sotheby's 19th Century European Art Auction Brings $19.4 Million in New York
Sotheby’s 19th Century European Art auction brought $19,373,250 today in New York, with spirited bidding from an international pool of buyers competing for the impressive range of lots on offer. “Buyers in today’s sale were international private collectors, many of whom are assembling first rate collections of 19th Century European masterpieces,” commented Polly Sartori, Head of Sotheby’s 19th Century European Paintings department in New York. “We are delighted to be able to offer them the very best to add to their collections.”
Sporting art from the collection of Edward P. Evans performed exceptionally well today. Sold to benefit the Edward P. Evans Foundation, the six paintings on offer achieved a total of $4,703,000, nearly twice their combined high estimate of $2.4 million. The group was led by John Frederick Herring Sr.’s Preparing to Start for the Doncaster Gold Cup, which soared past its presale high estimate of $600,000 and sold for $2,098,500.
All of the six works by William Bouguereau offered in today’s auction were sold, demonstrating the demand for works by the iconic artist. The group totaled $3,727,000, in excess of its $3.5 million cumulative high estimate, and was led by À la fontaine (At the fountain) from 1897 that achieved $1,986,500 (est. $1/1.5 million). In addition, a new record was set for Belgian artist Charles Hermans when his Bal Masqué sold for $1,022,500 (est. $1/1.5 million).
