Nigerian painting fetches £1.1 million after Google search

The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Tuesday, March 19, 2024


Nigerian painting fetches £1.1 million after Google search
Ben Enwonwu, Christine, est. £100,000-150,000. Sold for: £1.1 million. Courtesy Sotheby's.



LONDON (AFP).- A painting by the Nigerian artist responsible for the "African Mona Lisa" sold at auction in London on Tuesday for £1.1 million after the family who owned it googled the signature and realised its importance.

"Christine", by 20th century master of African modernism Ben Enwonwu, had been in the sitter's family home ever since it was painted in Lagos in 1971.

"The family were unaware of the significance of the painting or the importance of the artist, until a chance "googling" of the signature led them to Sotheby's free Online Estimate Platform," said the London auction house.

The painting fetched over seven times the pre-auction estimate, finally going under the hammer for £1.1 million (1.3 million euros, $1.4 million).

The work precedes the artist's 1974 painting of Ife royal princess Adetutu "Tutu" Ademiluyi, which recently turned up in a London flat after not being seen in decades.

The portrait is a national icon in Nigeria, with Booker Prize-winning novelist Ben Okri telling AFP that it was thought of as "the African Mona Lisa".

Enwonwu, who died in 1994, is considered the father of Nigerian modernism.

He made three paintings of "Tutu", the locations of all of which had been a mystery until the recent discovery.

The works became symbols of peace following the clash of ethnic groups in the Nigerian–Biafran conflict of the late 1960s.


© Agence France-Presse










Today's News

October 16, 2019

The Tasteful Effect of Top-Level Oriental Rugs Enhances the Dining Experience

Sotheby's to offer Francis Bacon's 'Pope' on behalf of the Brooklyn Museum this November in NYC

New Mark Rothko monograph to be released on Nov. 5

Nigerian painting fetches £1.1 million after Google search

Sale at Drouot features 130 meteorites

Rare early black paint Leica M3 will be offered at auction in London in November

Meeting the 'Mona Lisa' for an intimate (virtual) rendezvous

Simon Lee Gallery opens an exhibition of works by Paulina Olowska

The shock of the old: Rousseau discovery heads a new-look auction for the capital

Nearly 1billion euros raised, pledged for Notre-Dame rebuild

Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum reopens

Whitney Houston, Notorious B.I.G. and Dave Matthews Band nominated for Rock Hall

Tulips from Amsterdam? A blooming scam, says new probe

Scandal-hit Placido Domingo 'happy' to sing in Moscow

Nobel winner fears rising self-censorship in Poland

The FLAG Art Foundation presents a two-floor exhibition by Nicolas Party

The Drawing Center opens an exhibition of more than 140 drawings by imprisoned artists

Marlon Brando's illegal Vespa runaround in Berkshire for sale with H&H Classics

Artist marks Native American Day with a reimagining of Mount Rushmore

18th century cookbook gives up its intriguing secrets at auction

Three photography exhibitions opening at deCordova this October

Two new exhibitions at the Morse Museum present rare Tiffany pottery and archival treasures

Exhibition at Oolite Arts highlights works by eleven artists

How to buy Top-quality Activated Charcoal Powder

10 Scientific Writing Tips

The Casino Mogul Who's also One of the World's Leading Art Collectors

How to Apply Heat Transfer Vinyl Rolls

The King of Juice is Building a Juice Empire

Finding the Best Rated Air Conditioner in Henderson




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez

sa gaming free credit
Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful