Past Auction

Important Paintings

Thu, Sep 17, 2020 at 11am EDT |
New York
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World Auction Record for Nancy Graves -- $200,000!

  • Auction of Important Paintings on Thursday, September 17, 2020
  • Work by Nancy Graves from 1979 Achieves a Record $200,000
  • Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions

NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's auction of Important Paintings on September 17, 2020 testified to the current strength of the international art market. Featured were 19th, 20th and 21st century works by prominent American, European, Latin American and Asian artists.

Nancy Graves -- A World Auction Record

Highlighting the sale was Vertigo from 1979 by Nancy Graves (1939-1995) that soared past its estimate of $10,000-20,000 to achieve a stunning $200,000 -- A World Auction Record for the Artist. Vertigo is an encapsulation, in a sense, of Graves’ unique approach: large, bold gestures that are not representational forms, as much as we may wish they were. Graves provides no narrative, nor an identifiable picture plane. What elements are in the foreground? In the background? Graves was intent on exploring perception, on the time we need to look at a work in order to truly see it. She provides no singular focal point. As with many of Graves’ works, Vertigo requires attention and focus, to look and look again, to approach from other angles and viewpoints.  Read an Essay by Angelo Madrigale

Other Auction Highlights

The sale saw impressive prices for works by a wide range of artists. A 1980 portrait of literary agent Maxine Groffsky by Alex Katz (b. 1927) fetched $162,500, many times its $20,000-40,000 estimate. Original drawings for the Pont Neuf Wrapping in Paris by Christo and Jean-Claude (1935-2020 and 1935-2009) estimated at $80,000-120,000 sold for $156,250.

From the Colleciton of best-selling author Dorothea Benton Frank was a circa 1946 small-scale painting by Alexander Calder (1898-1976) that sold for $137,500, well over its estimate of $70,000-90,000.


We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection. For information, please call 212-427-4141, ext 249, or email paintings@Doyle.com

Consignments are currently being accepted

To have your property evaluated for possible consignment in the next auction, please contact:

Angelo Madrigale
212-427-4141, ext 237
Paintings@Doyle.com

Media Contact

Louis LeB. Webre
SVP, Marketing & Media
212-427-4141, ext 232
Louis@Doyle.com

  • Estate of Mary Elizabeth Scripps
  • Property from the Collection of Dr. Abraham & Carolyn Schlossman
  • Property from the Collection of Gustav and Mira Berger
  • Property from the Estate of Katharine Babcock Mountcastle
  • Property of a Florida Family
  • Property of a Gentleman
  • Property of a Morristown, NJ Private Collection
  • Property of a Private Collection
  • Property of an Elegant Lady
  • The Collection of Dorothea Benton Frank

A Selection of Auction Highlights

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