Mother and child block seat by Henry Moore, bronze, height: 244 cm
Landau Fine Art, Montreal
Price: undisclosed
Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, signed and dated 1658, oil on canvas, 107.4 x 87cm (42.25 x 34.25 in)
Otto Naumann Ltd.
Price: $47 million
TEFAF Maastricht 2011: a display of masterpieces Arguably the most important art fair in the world, the 2011 edition of TEFAF Maastricht exhibits an excellent display of art masterpieces, including works by Rembrandt, Renoir and Henry Moore]]>
March 9th 2011, source: TEFAF / theartwolf.com
The most expensive work in the fair is “Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo”, painted by by Rembrandt in 1658, offered by Otto Naumann Ltd of New York for a hefty $47 million. The work was sold at Christie’s London for $33 million in 2009. So, how can this increase in the price be justified? According to the press note published by TEFAF, “since the painting was last auctioned in 2009 it has been transformed by cleaning and can now be seen in its full glory.” Let’s see if the collectors agree. Otto Naumann also offers “Architectural Capriccio” by Bernardo Bellotto for €8.2 million.
Maybe the most impressive work in the fair is “Mother and child block seat”, a 8ft high bronze sculpture by Henry Moore, offered by Landau Fine Art of Montreal. Cast in an edition of nine in 1983, three years before Moore’s death, the work was described by its creator as “the big form protecting the small form”. The press note by TEFAF says that the work is “compelling”. Talking about sculptures, Spanish dealer Deborah Elvira exhibits “Ecce Homo”, one of the few sculptures by El Greco.
An important name in this edition of TEFAF is Pierre-Auguste Renoir. “Femme cueillant des Fleurs”, one of the most important early works by Renoir still in private hands, is being offered by Dickinson for $15 million. Hammer Galleries from New York exhibits “La leçon (Bielle, l’institutrice et Claude Renoir lisant)”, painted in 1906. In addition, Stephen Ongpin from London will shows “Study of a Bather”, a preparatory work for his painting “Bathers in the Forest”, owned by the Barnes Foundation. The price? A “modest” £125,000.
Time for antiquities: Galerie Harmakhis from Brussels shows the work that is arguably the most fascinating piece of art exhibited at TEFAF: the last fragment of an Egyptian water clock in private hands, which carries a quite modest price of €150,000. Rupert Wace Ancient Art of London offers an important Greek idol dating from the Late Neolithic period. The 4.6in high white marble figure of a woman carries a price in excess of €1 million.
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