14 lots sold above 1 million SEK on Modern Art + Design

New world record for Erik Olson and Waldemar Lorentzon

After two of this spring's three Fine Art auctions, the Nordic region's leading auction house has sold art and design for a total of 143.5 MSEK and hammered a total of 17 lots sold above 1MSEK. Of these, as many as 14 lots sold over 1 MSEK were hammered at Modern Art + Design, which is a sensational result. Bukowskis also sold this year's most expensive artwork on the Swedish market, Erik Olson's "Carré Rouge (Red Square)", for 8,4 MSEK, which is a new world record for the artist. Another record and a fine example of Scandinavian avant-garde is Waldemar Lorentzons, "The Tennis Player", sold for 3,8 MSEK.

– An incredible auction! We had several top objects and interesting collections such as Jan Torsten Ahlstrands Collection, Danish surrealists and Einar Jolin with interesting provenance, which is something that is always attractive to collectors. There were many bidders on several of the items, which contributed to several record prices. It was a historically successful auction, says Lena Rydén, Head of art, specialist in modern art.

The international department was unusually large with many fine works of high quality. A "Concetto Spaziale" by Lucio Fontana, a fine early work by the French neo-realist Bernard Buffet "Le poissonnier", 1949, a typical abstract work by the Frenchman Nicolas de Staël, "Composition", 1946 which all resulted in high finale prices.

– It is also fun that Nordic artists like Vilhelm Lundström and Richard Mortensen were highly sought after and that the final prices for the collection "A collection of Danish surrealists" were sensational and show that interesting, private collections are still in high demand in the market, says Amanda Wahrgren, Specialist modern art.

The print department presented works at a high international standard with several prints by Cy Twombly, David Hockney, Pablo Picasso and Pierre Soulages among others.

– The print department once again showed the persistent demand for international masters such as Henri Matisse and Joan Miró. A personal favourite work for me was "Roman Notes I" by Cy Twombly whose fantastic quality was reflected in the final price. Bukowskis' role on the international market for prints was acknowledged during tonight's auction, where bidders from all over the world participated, says Marcus Kinge, Specialist prints.