Le jardin de Maubuisson, Pontoise, la mère Bellette by Camille Pissarro led Bonhams November 5 sale of Impressionist and Modern Art, selling for $1,805,000. A masterclass of Impressionist innovation from the movement’s most important years, the picture was formerly in the collections of noted connoisseur Alfred Bergaud and French Prime Minister Fernand Bouisson.
“La mère Bellette showcases Pissarro’s instinctive reaction to his environment in the dazzling play of light and the virtuoso handling of paint,” said Tanya Wells, Head of Sale. “The appearance of the painting at auction generated excitement internationally, and we are particularly pleased that it has now entered a notable private collection.”
One of Vincent van Gogh’s earliest paintings, Two women in a wood, more than tripled its estimate to achieve $689,000, having attracted significant interest from collectors and institutions. Van Gogh began to paint in oils in the summer of 1882, and this work is one of only seven studies from this pivotal period.
Bidders in more than two dozen countries participated in the sale, with a strong interest seen from new buyers in East Asia, and activity seen from telephone and internet bidders as well as a packed saleroom. The auction was 88% sold by value.
Additional highlights included Les jets d’eau, Versailles by Henri Le Sidaner, which doubled its estimate to reach $653,000; Zerschmetterter Baum by Otto Dix, which realized $221,000, more than triple its estimate; Éternel Printemps by Auguste Rodin which soared past its estimate to bring $179,000; and Robert Delaunay’s important pen and ink composition La Tour Eiffel which doubled its estimate to achieve $179,000.
“The November 5 sale saw a carefully curated group of works from private collections, including important rediscoveries such as works by van Gogh and Dix, pursued aggressively by collectors and institutions from China, Japan and Taiwan, as well as across Europe and the United States. It was gratifying to see exceptional works find distinguished new homes,” commented William O’Reilly, Director of Impressionist & Modern Art, Americas and Asia.
Bonhams next Impressionist and Modern Art auction in New York will take place in May 2014.
Please visit www.bonhams.com for more information.
