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Post-War & Contemporary Art

London, 11 – 12 February 2016

Christie’s London auctions of Post-War and Contemporary Art realised £72,442,450, led by British masters of the last 50 years.

The Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction on Thursday achieved £58,099,000, selling 89 per cent by lot. The top price of the night was for Peter Doig’s The Architect’s Home in the Ravine at £11,282,500 followed by works by Hockney, Bacon and Freud highlighting ‘a particularly energetic response to British painting’ according to specialist Edmond Francey.

Bidders from over 40 countries participated in the sale and contributed toward artist records for Robert Mangold and Joseph Beuys. Francey also noted that ‘Collections were highly prized, demonstrating how good provenance, taste and connoisseurship continue to be a major draw’.

The British theme continued with a selection of works sold to benefit the South London Gallery by contemporary British artists such as Tracey Emin and Antony Gormley which exceeded estimates.  Contemporary art was also showcased in the Day Auction with works by Yayoi Kusama, Thomas Schütte and Michael Borremans exceeding expectations to drive the sale total to £14,343,450.

We are now accepting consignment for the May New York sales, for a free and confidential valuation please contact one of our specialists.


Auction highlights

Videos

  • Who closer than my children?

    Specialist Francis Outred compares two of Lucian Freud’s most intimate portraits — offered in the Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction on 11 February at Christie’s London

  • A moment of passion: Francis Bacon, George Dyer and Two Figures (1975)

    Francis Bacon’s biographer, Michael Peppiatt on his long friendship with the artist, Bacon's relationship with George Dyer and Two Lovers (1975)

All videos

Who closer than my children?

A moment of passion: Francis Bacon, George Dyer and Two Figures (1975)

Features

  • Inspired by the space
  • Director Margot Heller on why Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley and Christie's are supporting the South London Gallery's exciting expansion plans
  • Read more
  • Icons of British Art
  • This season Christie’s is proud to present a selection of iconic works by some of the most important British artists to have worked in the 20th century
  • Read more

20th Century at Christie's

Throughout 2016, we are presenting a series of exciting selections of art, unified by a singular theme. The first event, The 20th Century, takes place in London between 28 January and 12 February. Spanning the years 1897–2008, it’s the director’s cut of one of the most explosive periods in art history.