Christie’s New York Latin American Art Sale Realizes $11 Million
Published June 2nd, 2009
Christie’s Latin American Sale totaled $11,004,350, led by strong results for Mario Carreño, Leonora Carrington, and Diego Rivera. Five new world auction records were achieved for artists Leonora Carrington, René Portocarrero, Helio Oiticica, Roberto Aizenberg, and Lygia Pape. The sale was 68% sold by lot and 77% by value.
Icons of Latin American modernism led the sale tonight with strong results for the top three lots, all of which date from the 1940s. We are particularly excited about the long overdue recognition and important world auction record for Leonora Carrington, whose work surpassed the $1million dollar mark, and for the spectacular price realized for the rediscovered masterpiece Fuego en el batey by the Cuban master Mario Carreño, which became the second highest auction price achieved for the artist. In addition, a new record was set for a self-portrait by Diego Rivera,” said Virgilio Garza, Head of Latin American Art at Christie’s.
