20/09/2001
by James Bell

Emilio Greco’s sculpture and graphic work drew influence from Greek, Roman and Gothic art as well as modernists, Pablo Picasso and Edgar Degas. Greco (1913-1995) held his first one-man show in 1946 at the Galleria il Cortile Italy, and went on to exhibit internationally in the following decades. In 1956 he was awarded the ‘Premio del Comune di Venezia’ on the occasion of the XXVIII Venice Biennale, and today his work is housed in innumerable public collections, including one of the Italian seats of government, the courtyard of the Senato della Repubblica, Rome.

His work first began to appear on the art market in the 1960’s, initially with the bronze Anna, testa di donna which sold at Sotheby’s, London for today’s equivalent of $ 514 (€ 555). The subject for this piece became a regular sitter for him, amongst many other female models. It was not until the mid 1970’s that his work began to appear at auction with a degree of regularity. Drawings and ink sketches primarily depicting females could be purchased for less than $ 730 (€ 790). In 1977 Finarte, Milan sold a small pen sketch Busto femminile for the current equivalent of $ 540 (€ 587). In comparison, Finarte, Rome sold a Study of a female nude in May this year for $ 2,060 (€ 2,220). Prices for his bronzes now typically exceed the $ 5,000 (€ 5,400) mark. On the 23^rd February 2001, for example, a small female figure executed in bronze, Small Dancer, sold for $ 10,000 (€ 14,700) against an estimate of $ 8,000-12,000 (€ 11,760-17,640) at Sotheby’s, New York.

Regarded primarily as a sculptor, prices for his bronzes can reach up to $ 80,000 (€ 86,400), as seen by Bagnante, again a female figure which sold within estimate at Sotheby’s, New York in November 2000 for $ 70,652 (€ 76,310). His drawings and lithographs display the same sensuous harmony as his work in bronze or terracotta. David Thompson the London based print dealer remarks, "Greco’s graphic work, although not universally known in the UK, always attracts a curious glance from potential buyers. The intimate relationship he had with his sitters translates superbly into his work. His attention to detail in facial contours is always delicate and beautiful"

The scarcity of Greco’s prints have not affected their accessibility. Prices for his etchings and lithographs rarely exceed $ 560 (€ 610). At Finarte auction rooms in Milan in 1995 an etching of Anna his favoured sitter, made $ 474 (€ 512) against an estimate of $ 353-412 (€ 381-445). However, as his sculptures become increasingly costly, this trend is likely to change.

His drawings and ink sketches, are more often than not preparatory studies for his bronzes. Most are highly finished and represent works of art in their own right. Greco’s market is predominately situated in Italy, yet he does sporadically appear at auction in England and the United Sates. The drawing Testa di una donna, sold at Christie’s East (New York) in November 2000 for $ 3,290 (€ 3,560), within estimate. At Sotheby’s Arcade sale (again New York) in February 1996 a Seated Nude ink on paper laid on board, made $ 1,380 (€ 1,490) against an estimate of $ 800-1200 (€ 860-1,300).

Interestingly, in comparison to similar results from auction houses in Italy, prices around the world tend to be slightly lower. Indeed, for those wishing to invest in Emilio Greco it is perhaps worthwhile to keep abreast of global markets where a bargain could well be had.