22/11/2001

The Modern and Contemporary Art auction held by Christie’s Milan on the 20th of November raised a total of $ 2,945,273 (€ 3,356,970) with 68.6% of lots sold. The top lot was Ardengo Soffici’s painting Still life with a red egg, which hammered for $ 175,421 (€ 199,972) (estimate $ 158,560-203,862, € 180,760-232,406). Two works tripled their initial estimate: Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Scala, sold for $ 66,604 (€ 75,919) (estimate $ 13,600-18,100, € 15,500-20,600), while Marino Marini’s sculpture, Harlequin, hammered at $ 164,705 (€ 187,732) against an estimate of $ 45,319-54,379 (€ 51,646-61,975). Also of note was Alighiero Boetti’s Six senses, which went for $ 132,517 (€ 151,012) against an estimate of $ 67,981-90,641 (€ 77,469-103,291). Mariolina Bassetti, director of the department, commented: “The results obtained are a clear sign that the market demand remains strong for top quality Italian Modern art.” (Annalisa Rossi)