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LE TOP 10 DES VENTES EN 2020 / TOP 10 2020 SALES

1. Francis Bacon, Triptych Inspired by the Oresteia of Aeschylus (1981) 6. Cy Twombly, Untitled (Bolsena) (1969)
84 600 000 $ (± 70 000 000 €) - Sotheby’s 38 700 000 $ (± 31 700 000 €) - Christie’s, New York

2. Wu Bin, Ten Views of a Lingbi Rock (1610) 7. Sanyu, Quatre Nus (1950s)
512 900 000 RMB (± 64 000 000 €) - Poly Auction, Pékin 33 300 000 $ (± 27 300 000 €) - Sotheby’s, Hong Kong
3. Roy Lichtenstein, Nude With Joyous Painting (1994) 8. Mark Rothko, Untitled (1967)
46 200 000 $ (± 38 000 000 €) - Christie’s, en ligne/on line 31 300 000 $ (± 25 600 000 €) - Christie’s, New York
4. David Hockney, Nichols Canyon (1980) 9. Brice Marden, Complements (2004–2007)
41 000 000 $ (± 34 000 000 €) - Phillips New York 30 900 000 $ (± 25 300 000 €) - Christie’s, en ligne/on line
5. Ren Renfa, Five Inebriated Princes Riding Home 10 . Barnett Newman, Onement V (1952)
39 400 000 $ (± 32 400 000 €) - Sotheby’s, Hong Kong 30 900 000 $ (± 25 300 000 €) - Christie’s, en ligne/on line

Auctions adapting

to health crisis by Milena Radoman

New trends: digitalisation/online

The headlines say it all: “Auctions breathe and Sotheby’s lost 24% and 27% respectively Geneva and Paris are very attractive, Monaco
life into the artistic and cultural world hit over the same period. However, thanks to the is the stuff that dreams are made of and this is
by Covid-19”, “Old Masters Break Records”, downturn, on the online platforms spectacular what our clients tell us. Monaco’s reputation is
“Personal Cristo collection snapped up at sales have occurred, with more than 10 works its unique selling point, so wonderful auctions
auction”, “World record at auction for Tintin The sold for more than €25 million (see inset). These with limitless prices can be held. The Principality
Blue Lotus” - just one look tells you that auctions sales have given pride of place to contemporary is considered THE marketplace to find some of
are currently all the rage. The simple truth is art which, over the past 20 years, has become the most beautiful pieces for private collectors.
that bidders are scrambling for everything: «the lifeblood of auctions», as evidenced by Here, you can find some of the rarest and hard-
digital artworks using blockchain technology, the Artprice report. According to this sector to-find automobile parts, watches and high
such as the very first Tweet in history (sold for specialist, contemporary art now accounts for jewellery,” notes lawyer, Jean-Charles Gardetto,
$2.5 million); KGB espionage gadgets, like an 15% of fine art auctions, against 3% in 2000. whose clients include art, jewellery and fine wine
umbrella with a poisoned tip and a false tooth This represents growth of 2,100% in 20 years!
containing cyanide; Air Jordan trainers worn by That is almost $2 billion, compared to less than AUCTION ANECDOTE
the legendary Michael Jordan and Nike sports $100 million 20 years ago. Other trends at the
shoes designed for Barack Obama; a carrier moment include a shift towards second-hand “At an auction, there are hardly ever
pigeon sold to a Chinese buyer for a record luxury goods. According to a study published any surprises, such as a client who
€1.6 million; and even Nazi items that were in September 2020 by the Boston Consulting appears out of nowhere: people read
removed from auction after being reported by Group, the vintage chic market reached $21 up before a sale, ask to see the work
a whistle-blower. billion (€17.2 billion) in 2019. Projections put and consult the experts. However,
it at $36 billion for 2021. one day, a gentleman came along in a
Contemporary art market worth $2 billion bathrobe, having just come out of the
The art world has certainly been affected by the Monaco’s reputation: its USP spa at the Hermitage Hotel. He bid for
Coronavirus crisis and the big auction houses These main trends are seen in the Principality a ring and won!”
have reported losses in 2020: for Christie’s, which, over time, has developed a reputation Louise Grether, Artcurial
this meant a global loss of 25%; and Artcurial for auctions. “Even though New York, London,

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