Sotheby’s recent auction of the Sydell Miller Collection was a triumph, achieving a 100% sell-through rate and reinforcing the strength of the market for high-quality, prestigious works. Featuring a dazzling array of Impressionist, Modern, and contemporary art alongside design masterpieces, the collection captivated collectors globally. Here are the top ten highlights from this extraordinary event, with a deeper dive into their significance and appeal.
Claude Monet’s Nymphéas (1914–17)
Claude Monet’s Nymphéas (1914–17)
Monet’s Nymphéas led the auction, embodying the essence of his serene yet dynamic Water Lilies series. Painted during the latter years of Monet’s career, the work represents the artist’s fascination with light and reflection, inspired by the pond at his Giverny home. This piece, particularly noted for its interplay of cool blues and vibrant greens, was highly sought after, igniting a 17-minute bidding war before selling for $65.5 million. Its exceptional provenance and rarity as a museum-quality work from this iconic series contributed to its remarkable result.
Wassily Kandinsky’s Weisses Oval (White Oval) (1919)
A milestone in Kandinsky’s artistic journey, Weisses Oval exemplifies his post-Bauhaus experimentation with pure abstraction and color theory. This vibrant composition captures the transition from representational art to an entirely abstract visual language, making it a key piece for understanding his oeuvre. Its debut at auction, coupled with a robust guarantee and irrevocable bid, propelled the final price to $21.6 million, surpassing expectations and reaffirming the market’s enthusiasm for Kandinsky’s revolutionary work.
Yves Klein’s Relief Éponge bleu sans titre (RE 28) (1961)
Klein’s ultramarine sponge reliefs are celebrated for their tactile quality and spiritual resonance, with the Relief Éponge bleu sans titre standing out as a prime example. The sponges, saturated in Klein’s signature International Klein Blue (IKB), evoke a sense of immersion into a boundless, infinite void. Acquired by Miller in 2001, this piece achieved $14.2 million, underscoring its timeless appeal as a symbol of Klein’s avant-garde exploration of color and material.
François-Xavier Lalanne’s Troupeau d’Éléphants dans les Arbres (2001)
This unique table by Lalanne marries function with surrealism. Crafted in gilt-bronze and glass, the piece features whimsical elephants perched atop trees, reflecting Lalanne’s penchant for reimagining the natural world with humor and elegance. A bespoke commission by Miller, it fetched $11.6 million, nearly doubling its estimate of $4–6 million. This result highlights the strong demand for Lalanne’s imaginative creations, especially those with personal ties to prominent collectors.
Henry Moore’s Reclining Mother and Child (1975–76)
Moore’s sculptures often explore themes of maternity and the human form, and Reclining Mother and Child is a quintessential example. The interplay of smooth, organic curves and voids within the bronze sculpture invites viewers to reflect on the tenderness and strength of maternal bonds. This powerful piece achieved $11.6 million, exceeding its high estimate, further cementing Moore’s legacy as one of the 20th century’s most influential sculptors.
Henri Matisse’s Jeune fille en robe rose (1942)
From Matisse’s Nice period, this vibrant portrait captures a young woman in a radiant pink dress, bathed in soft Mediterranean light. This era of Matisse’s work is celebrated for its warmth and intimacy, reflecting the artist’s joy in color and pattern. The painting’s exceptional composition and charm propelled it to $9.7 million, nearly doubling its high estimate of $5 million, and reaffirming collectors’ enduring love for Matisse.
From Matisse’s Nice period, this vibrant portrait captures a young woman in a radiant pink dress, bathed in soft Mediterranean light. This era of Matisse’s work is celebrated for its warmth and intimacy, reflecting the artist’s joy in color and pattern. The painting’s exceptional composition and charm propelled it to $9.7 million, nearly doubling its high estimate of $5 million, and reaffirming collectors’ enduring love for Matisse.
Edgar Degas’s Grande arabesque, troisième temps (circa 1882–95)
This bronze sculpture captures the dynamic grace of a ballerina mid-performance, embodying Degas’s fascination with the beauty of movement. The finely detailed form and poised energy of the figure highlight Degas’s unparalleled skill in rendering human anatomy and motion. The piece hammered at $1.4 million and achieved $1.6 million with fees, outperforming its high estimate and attracting significant interest from collectors drawn to Degas’s enduring legacy.
Leonora Carrington’s La Grande Dame (The Cat Woman) (1951)
Carrington’s mystical surrealist sculpture presents a feline figure imbued with elegance and otherworldly charm. The piece, rich with narrative possibilities, reflects Carrington’s unique approach to Surrealism, which often intertwined themes of myth, femininity, and metamorphosis. Setting a new auction record for her sculptural works, it sold for $11.3 million, highlighting the growing recognition of Carrington’s diverse artistic contributions.
Sotheby’s Sydell Miller Collection auction is a testament to the timeless allure of masterpieces across a variety of mediums. The impressive results reflect the confluence of artistic brilliance, historical value, and meticulous curation, ensuring the collection’s place in the annals of art market history.
November 26, 2024
