Art Market · Review 2021
Art auctions 2021 review: from a $103 million Picasso to the first multimillion NFT artworks, we present our personal review of the 2021 Art Auctions season, its superstars, successes, bargains and disappointments.
News
Dutch State announces the very likely acquisition of a $200 million Rembrandt
The Dutch state has announced that it has raised sufficient funds to acquire “De Vaandeldrager” (“The Standard Bearer”), one of Rembrandt’s great masterpieces in private hands, for some €165 million ($200 million).
Aphrodite reigns supreme at ancient art auctions
On December 7, 2021, the Hamilton Aphrodite, one of the most important Roman sculptures in private hands, was auctioned for £18.58 million at Sotheby’s. A painting by Pieter Bruegel the Younger was the star of Christie’s somewhat disappointing auction of old masters paintings.
Array Collective awarded the Turner Prize
The 2021 edition of the Turner Prize, considered by many to be one of the art world’s most prestigious awards, has been awarded to Array Collective, an artist/activist collective from Northern Ireland.
Contemporary art auctions in Hong Kong: a new generation calls for a new era
Although “old hands” such as Basquiat and Richter achieved the highest prices at the contemporary art auctions in Hong Kong, the big winners were less established artists who achieved -quite justifiably- much higher prices than expected.
Art Basel Miami, between uncertainty and hope
After the cancellation of its 2020 edition due to the pandemic, the 2021 edition of Art Basel Miami Beach -possibly the most important art fair in the United States- will be a great occasion to take the pulse of the art market beyond the big auctions.
An important Roman Aphrodite comes on the market
Next December 7, 2021, Sotheby’s will auction the “Hamilton Aphrodite,” one of the most important Roman sculptures in private hands.
Francis Bacon’s ‘Pope’ tops contemporary art auctions
On 17 November 2021, Phillips held its most successful auction ever, with Francis Bacon’s “Pope with Owls” selling for $33 million. The following day, Sotheby’s contemporary art auctions were highlighted by works by Yoshitomo Nara and Roy Lichtenstein.
Claude Monet and Frida Kahlo triumph at Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s modern art auction on 16 November 2021 fetched a total of $282.9 million, led by a water lilies painting by Claude Monet and a self-portrait by Frida Kahlo.
Macklowe Collection fetches $676 million at Sotheby’s
On 15 November 2021, Sotheby’s auctioned the first part of the Macklowe Collection, which -led by works by Rothko and Giacometti- achieved a total of $676 million, selling all the works offered.