Picasso masterpieces fetch $108.9 million at Sotheby’s auction
Eleven masterpieces by Pablo Picasso fetched $108.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Las Vegas.
A photographer takes photos of the works “La Fenetre de l’atelier La Californie” and “Buste d’homme” by Pablo Picasso during the Sotheby’s auction on 23 October 2021 in Las Vegas. Picture: AFP
LAS VEGAS – Eleven masterpieces by Pablo Picasso fetched $108.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The works went under the hammer at the Bellagio hotel and casino, known for its extensive art collection, ahead of what would have been the Spanish painter’s 140th birthday.
The jewel in the crown of MGM Resort’s auctioned collection was “Femme au beret rouge-orange” (“Woman with a red-orange cap”), one of the last portraits by the artist of Marie-Therese Walter, who he began an affair with when she was 17 years old and inspired many of his most celebrated works.
It sold for nearly $40.5 million after a starting price was estimated at $20-30 million.
“Painted in January 1938, the portrait of his beloved muse Marie-Therese Walter stands as a crowning achievement amid one of Picasso’s most inspired and productive periods,” Sotheby’s said in a Tweet.
#AuctionUpdate Closing out tonights sale, Femme au bret rouge-orange sells for $40.5 million. Painted in January 1938, the portrait of his beloved muse Marie-Thrse Walter stands as a crowning achievement amid one of Picassos most inspired and productive periods #SothebysxMGM pic.twitter.com/v4sCY19pDE
Sothebys (@Sothebys) October 24, 2021
Two iconic portraits from the last years of the painter’s life were also sold: “Homme et enfant” (“Man and child”) – for $24.4 million – and “Buste d’homme” (“Bust of Man”) – at $9.5 million – which sold below its estimated starting price of 10 million.
Other works sold include ceramics, several works on paper and several still lifes.
Download the Eyewitness News app to your iOS or Android device.
For all the latest lifestyle News Click Here
