Lucian Freud

Francis Bacon's 'Study for a Portrait' (detail). Photo: Christie's Images Ltd. 2011   LONDON.- A painting by Irish-born artist Francis Bacon sold for 18.0 million pounds ($28.7 million) on Tuesday, the second highest price paid for a work of art at a Christie's post-war and contemporary auction in London. "Study for a Portrait," depicting a besuited man seated on a gilded armchair enshrouded in a sea of blue, had been expected to fetch around 11 million pounds, although the sale price includes a buyer's premium which... [Lire la suite]

Francis Bacon (1909 - 1992), Three Studies for Portrait of Lucian Freud, (i) titled and dated 1964 on the reverse, oil on canvas in three parts, each: 35.5 by 30.2cm. Estimate 7,000,000—9,000,000 GBP. Lot Sold 23,001,250 GBP. PROVENANCE: Marlborough Fine Art, Ltd., LondonAcquired directly from the above in 1964 EXHIBITED: Hamburg, Kustverein; Stockholm, Moderna Museet; Dublin, Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, Francis Bacon,1965, no. 57 NOTE: Acquired prior to the breakthrough travelling exhibition in 1965 and executed at... [Lire la suite]

Lucian Freud (b.1922), Eight Months Gone, oil on canvas, 10.2 by 15.2cm. 4 by 6in. Executed in 1997. Estimate: 300,000 GBP - 400,000 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's LONDON.- Sotheby’s announced that it will offer for sale a group of 14 outstanding and revealing Contemporary artworks from the Collection of Jerry Hall, the world-famous American supermodel and actress, in its forthcoming October 2010 Contemporary Art sales, which coincide with London’s Frieze Art Fair. The artworks, together estimated to realise in excess of £1.5 million,... [Lire la suite]

The top-selling work of this exceptional collection was Yves Klein’s 1961 fire, body and water imprints on paper laid down on wood F88. Photo: Sotheby´s LONDON.- This evening, Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Sale brought the exceptionally strong total of £54,074,450 / $84,761,700 / €61,461,160 – well in excess of pre-sale expectations (Estimate: £32,157,000-44,986,000), establishing the second highest total for a February Sale of Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s. The auction achieved remarkable sell-through rates: 97.9% by lot... [Lire la suite]

Damien Hirst, The Golden Calf, 215.4 by 320 by 137.2 cm. © Damien Hirst. Photo: Prudence Cumming. LONDON.- British artist Damien Hirst has turned down an offer to become a Royal Academician at the Royal Academy in London, an institution that was founded in 1768 by King George III. The refusal was revealed by Secretary and Chief Executive Dr Charles Saumarez Smith CBE, who told the Evening Standard that he does not know the reasons of this decision. Other contemporary artists, such as Tracey Emin, who made her dirty bed an... [Lire la suite]

LIVERPOOL.- A stunning exhibition of nearly 50 portraits by Cecil Beaton, one of the most famous photographers of the 20th century, captures the glamour and excitement of some of the world’s greatest celebrities. Cecil Beaton: Portraits, on exhibition through 31 August 2009, brilliantly reflects the astonishing talents of the photographer who was also a writer, artist, designer, actor, caricaturist, illustrator and diarist. He photographed a dazzling array of superstars and leading personalities ranging from the Queen to Mick... [Lire la suite]

Ren Zhenyu, Albert Einstein, 2009. Oil on canvas, h: 100 x w: 90 cm Olyvia Oriental is proud to host Iconic,Ren Zhenyu’s maiden UK solo show, which runs from April 17th until May 10th. The exhibition features the latest works by the respected Chinese artist and is part of Olyvia Oriental’s mission to promote fresh and original art that contributes to the discourse of visual culture. Ren Zhenyu, Damian Hirst, 2009.  Oil on canvas, h: 100 x w: 90 cm Born in Tianjin in 1976, Ren Zhenyu graduated in 1999 from the... [Lire la suite]