The Auction Results in the Caribbean Art Market section are
collected by Donna Thompson Ray, a Fine Art Appraiser, and the editors
of CAW Magazine.
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Béatrice (Bela) Mellinger
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988)
Untitled (Boxer), 1982
acrylic and oil paintstick on linen
76 x 94 in. (193 x 239 cm.)
Jean Michel-Basquiat Is #2 As Top Selling Artist World-Wide
As reported in the January 7th edition of Wealth Bulletin, Jean Michel-Basquiat (1960-1988) is the second top-selling artist of the world-wide auction market for 2008-2009 (ending June 30, 2009).
Basquiat, a New York-based artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent, reached this mark in the November 2008 sale of his work, Untitled (Boxer), 1982, which sold for 13,522,500 USD (Euro 10.7 million) at Christie's New York's Post-War & Contemporary Art Evening Sale. The painting was in the collection of musician and renowned collector Lars Ulrich, founding member, songwriter, and drummer for Metallica.
In the November 2008 Christie's press release, Ulrich comments: “As a collector I view myself as a caretaker of works of art, rather than simply an owner. I have been fortunate enough to have shared ten great years with this truly iconic painting by Basquiat, and it is time to put it back into circulation, and let someone else enjoy it as much as I have over the last decade.”
Untitled (Boxer), 1982, was exhibited as part of the 2005-2006 retrospective exhibition, Basquiat, at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
November 17 and 18, 2009
Sotheby's Sale of Latin American Art
The artworks below were among 192 lots which provided a sales total of 16,883,750 USD, exceeding the high estimate of 16.1 milion USD. The sale was conducted in two sessions: the evening sale saw 95.4% pieces sold by value, and the afternoon sale, November 19, 91%, respectively.
LOT 7: Cuban Artist Wifredo Lam (1902-1982)
On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, Wifredo Lam's Untitled, a charcoal and pastel on paper, sold for 28,125 USD (including buyer's premium) at Sotheby's evening sale of Latin American Art.
Executed in 1960, Lam's Untitled measures 22 1/4 x 29 1/2 inches, and was estimated at 25,000 - 30,000 USD.
LOT 57: Cuban Artist Mariano Rodríguez (1912-1990)
On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, Rodríguez' Guajiro con Gallo (Muchacho con Gallo), an oil on canvas, sold for 482,500 USD (including buyer's premium) at Sotheby's evening sale of Latin American Art.
Executed in 1943, Rodríguez' Guajiro con Gallo (Muchacho con Gallo) measures 24 1/4 x 20 inches, and was estimated at 125,000 - 175,000 USD.
November 17 and 18, 2009
Christie's Sale of Latin American Art
The artworks below were among 180 lots which provided a sales total of 17,338,250 USD. The sale was conducted in two sessions with 87% pieces sold by value and 70% by lot.
LOT 7: Cuban Artist Victor Manuel García (1897-1969)
On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, García's Carnaval, an oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches, sold for 182,500 USD (including buyer's premium) at Christie's sale of Latin American Art.
Estimate was 70,000 - 90,000 USD.
LOT 8: Puerto Rican Artist Angel Botello (1913-1986)
On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, Botello's El Diávolo, bronze with green patina and metal wire, sold for 47,500 USD (including buyer's premium) at Christie's sale of Latin American Art.
Executed circa 1960, Botello's El Diávolo measures 46 x 28 x 14 inches, and was estimated at 25,000 - 30,000 USD.
LOT 27: Cuban Artist Wifredo Lam (1902-1982)
On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, Lam's Sans titre, oil on canvas, sold for 662,500 USD (including buyer's premium) at Christie's sale of Latin American Art.
Executed in 1946-47, Lam's Sans titre measures 42 x 33 1/4 inches, and was estimated at 600,000 - 800,000 USD.
