Led by $1.1 Million Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn) (F. & S. II.23-31) – Top Price of the Season in New York –
50+ Pablo Picasso Ceramics Sold, Topped by Grand Vase aux Femmes Voilées (A.R. 116) for $444,500
NEW YORK, 1 May 2017 – Sotheby’s New York auction of Prints & Multiples achieved $10.8 million, with a strong sell-through rate of 84.3%. The top lot of the sale, and across all Prints & Multiples sales in New York this season, was Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn) (F. & S. II.23-31) from the collection of Margot Hahn, which fetched $1,092,500. Robust prices followed for works by fellow contemporary artists, such as Jasper Johns and Yoshitomo Nara, as well as for collections of prints and ceramics by Pablo Picasso and the Grosvenor School.

Mary Bartow, Head of Prints & Multiples, Sotheby’s New York, noted: “We are delighted with the results of our April auction, which highlighted the strength of this market and the demand for top quality prints and multiples. Private collections of Picasso ceramics and Grosvenor School prints attracted significant bidding from around the globe, as did incredibly rare and desirable portfolios by giants in the contemporary art world, Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns.”

In addition to Andy Warhol’s Marilyn that achieved $1.1 million, a rare complete portfolio of 0-9 (ULAE 19) by Jasper Johns from the Collection of Robert & Jane Rosenblum achieved a record price for a suite of lithographs by the artist. Chased by two bidders on the telephone and one in the room, the 1960-1963 lithographs from early in his career – of which four were specially replaced by Johns when they were stolen from the Rosenblum’s home – sold for a final price of $972,500, in excess of their $800,000 high estimate.

Nearly 60 lots of ceramics by Pablo Picasso, with over 50 lots from the Estate of Wagner Tielens, were offered in Prints & Multiples. 94.8% sold by lot, the group achieved a total of $1.7 million, in line with its high estimate. The top Picasso ceramic of the season was Grand Vase aux Femmes Voilées (A.R. 116), a large terre de faïence vase measuring 26 inches that sold for $444,500. A stunning combination of form and design, the work last appeared at auction in this very salesroom over fifteen years ago.

For more ceramics by Pablo Picasso, Picasso Man & Beast: Works from the Collection of Marina Picasso opens for exhibition in New York on 5 May, with a dedicated auction on 18 May 2017.