In the gloomy current art market, the actual results of Christie's Important Old Master Paintings, in New York last Wednesday (28th of January 2009), demonstrate that the market is still vigorous. Collectors and dealers are still on to buy exceptional pieces.
The Head of St John the Evangelist from the old master painter Federico Barocci (1535-1612) from Urbino reached nearly 3 times over the highest estimate (estimates $400$ - 600). It sold for $1,762,500.
Saint Jerome and Saint Nicholas with a donor from Michelangelo di Pietro Mencherini (1489-1521) sold for $235,500 while the estimates were $60,000-$80,000. It was last sold at auction at Christie's in 1965 for $3,358,74 (2200 guineas)!
The auction season is starting well. Watch out for the coming sales at Christie's, Sotheby's and Phillips de Pury in London and NY in the coming weeks.
