Phillips’ Photographs Auction Realizes Nearly $5 Million
Works from The Enduring Image: Photographs From The Dr. Saul Unter Collection Achieve Strong Prices, Including New Auction Records for Rudolf Koppitz and Robert Capa
New York, 9 April 2018
Sale Total: $4,962,125 / £3,505,741/ €4,028,749
|
Lots Sold: 186 | Lots Offered: 233 |
Sold by Lot: 80% | Sold by Value: 80% |
Vanessa Hallett, Deputy Chairman, Americas and Worldwide Head of Photographs, said, “In our first New York Photographs auction of the year, we saw continued demand for images that have become an essential part of the visual culture of the 20th century. With bidding from thirty-four countries across four continents, there was a great deal of enthusiasm for photographs spanning the century. Auction records were set for both Rudolf Koppitz and Robert Capa’s iconic works and photographs by Contemporary masters also performed exceptionally well. Peter Beard’s Heart Attack City led the sale and Vik Muniz’s The Scream, after Edvard Munch from Pictures of Pigment soared to $100,000, doubling its low estimate. We look forward to continuing this momentum at the next Photographs sale in London on 18 May, which includes the highly anticipated ULTIMATE Evening Sale.”
Rachel Peart, Photographs Specialist, said, “It was truly a privilege for Phillips to offer works from the Dr. Saul Unter Collection. These remarkable lots saw spirited bidding from across the globe, with Rudolf Koppitz’s record-setting Bewegungsstudie (Movement Study), 1924 leading the group. Dr. Unter’s unique vision in forming such an impressive collection of photographs was certainly evident to our collectors in today’s auction, as we saw strong prices for these important images, which span the 20th century.”
TOP TEN LOTS
|
Lot |
Description |
Estimate |
Price Achieved |
|
150 |
Peter Beard, Heart Attack City, 1972 |
$500,000-700,000 |
$603,000 £426,020/€489,576 |
|
96 |
Rudolf Koppitz, Bewegungsstudie (Movement Study), 1924 World auction record for the artist |
$200,000-300,000 |
$399,000 £281,894/€323,948 |
|
205 |
Andreas Gursky, EM, Arena, Amsterdam I, 2000 |
$350,000-450,000 |
$331,250* £234,028/€268,942 |
|
104 |
Robert Capa, Death of a Loyalist Soldier, 1936 World auction record for the artist |
$80,000-120,000 |
$162,500 £114,806/€131,934 |
|
200 |
Vik Muniz, The Scream, after Edvard Munch from Pictures of Pigment, 2006 |
$50,000-70,000 |
$100,000 £70,650/€81,190 |
|
220 |
Richard Misrach, Untitled #833-02, 2002 |
$50,000-70,000 |
$81,250 £57,403/€65,967 |
|
151 |
Richard Avedon, Nastassja Kinski and the Serpent, Los Angeles, California, June 14, 1981 |
$70,000-90,000 |
$75,000* £52,988/€60,893 |
|
152 |
Peter Beard, Two Cheetahs hunting for the End of the Game/Last Word from Paradise, 1960 |
$50,000-70,000 |
$75,000 £52,988/€60,893 |
|
154 |
Peter Beard, Reflections in Natural History, Moite Bay, Lake Rudolf, 1965 |
$55,000-75,000 |
$68,750 £48,572/€55,818 |
|
179 |
Irving Penn, Two Women in Black with Bread, Morocco, 1971 |
$25,000-35,000 |
$65,000 £45,933/€52,774 |
NEW AUCTION RECORDS
|
Lot |
Description |
Estimate |
Price Achieved |
|
96 |
Rudolf Koppitz, Bewegungsstudie (Movement Study), 1924 |
$200,000-300,000 |
$399,000 £281,894/€323,948 |
|
|
*previous record price: $166,495/€130,000 set in 2006 |
||
|
104 |
Robert Capa, Death of a Loyalist Soldier, 1936 |
$80,000-120,000 |
$162,500 £114,806/€131,934 |
|
|
*previous record price: $32,500 set in 2015 |
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*Lots 19, 31, 45, 46, 47, 52, 54, 69, 151, 195, 203, 204, and 205 were sold immediately following the auction and included in the sale results.
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Phillips is a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century art and design. With dedicated expertise in the areas of 20th Century and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry, Phillips offers professional services and advice on all aspects of collecting. Auctions and exhibitions are held at salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, while clients are further served through representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips also offers an online auction platform accessible anywhere in the world. In addition to providing selling and buying opportunities through auction, Phillips brokers private sales and offers assistance with appraisals, valuations, and other financial services. Visit www.phillips.com for further information.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices Achieved include the buyer's premium and are reported net of applicable fees.
Phillips is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions.
PRESS CONTACT: Jaime Israni, Senior Public Relations Specialist jisrani@phillips.com +1 212 940 1398