NEW YORK, NY.- Sotheby’s final auction of 2019, Fabrizio Moretti x Fabrizio Moretti | In Passing totaled an exceptional $1.8 million last night in Sotheby's New York salesroom. The auction achieved ‘white glove’ status (100% sold), driven by buyers new to Sotheby’s as well as record levels of pre-sale bidding on the auction house's app and online auction platform.

This special exhibition and auction of Old Master paintings and sculpture from the 14th – 18th centuries brought together musician and visual artist Fabrizio (Fab) Moretti, of the critically acclaimed and internationally Platinum-certified band The Strokes, with renowned art dealer and collector Fabrizio Moretti, who specializes in Old Masters and is proprietor of the London-based Galleria Moretti.

The 24 works on offer were selected by (dealer) Fabrizio Moretti, and showcased in a series of immersive and interactive installations designed and fabricated by Fab Moretti, each playing on the concept of perspective and based on corresponding themes represented in the works.

Musician and visual artist Fabrizio (Fab) Moretti, commented: “I went into this collaboration thinking about how I could connect the themes represented in these 14th – 18th century artworks to a contemporary frame of mind. Themes change throughout the year – kingdoms rise and fall – but the dedication and human hand always remains in the artwork. The goal of our interactive installations was to celebrate this point of view and conjuring this exhibition with Fabrizio and Sotheby’s has been such a joy.”

Dealer and collector Fabrizio Moretti added: “This has been one of the most exciting experiences of my career. Sotheby’s has been incredibly generous to have accepted the challenge of putting on such a laborious exhibition, and I am very grateful to the entire team. I’ve enjoyed collaborating with my new friend Fab, and look forward to crossing paths in the near future.”

Sotheby’s Director of eCommerce Development Brahm Wachter stated: “We are absolutely thrilled with the results of yesterday’s sale, which inspired competition from nearly 100 bidders around the world – many of them new to Sotheby’s. The auction saw record level of pre-sale bidding on our app and online auction platform since opening in late November, with all works sparking competition ahead of the live evening auction – a testament to the strong interest in this unique collaboration between Fab and Fabrizio. We thank both gentlemen for coming together on this project, and helping us to introduce new audiences to exceptional works of the pre-Modern era.”

Highlights of yesterday’s auction included:

• An elegant depiction of Saint John the Evangelist by Silvestro dei Gherarducci sold over 6x its high estimate, achieving $450,000.

• A pair of Memento Mori with Skulls and Crossbones from the 17th century Neapolitan School surpassed its high estimate by more than 8x, realizing $100,000

• Amongst the sculptures offered in the sale, a 16th century Glazed Terracotta roundel depicting the coat of arms of the Bonsi Della Ruota Family by Marco 'Fra Mattia' Della Robbia, sold for $131,250, establishing a new record for the artist at auction

The sale also established new auction records for Matteo Cesa, whose two panels of The Birth and The Presentation Of The Virgin Mary In The Temple and The Dormition Of The Virgin Mary achieved $106,250; and Fabrizio Chiari, whose altarpiece of The Death of Saint Anne realized $30,000.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit two organizations personally selected by Fab and Fabrizio: The International Rescue Committee, which responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 26 offices across the U.S. helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities; and The Fabrizio Moretti Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Prato, Italy, which works to give those with certain disabilities access to the therapeutic benefits of horses.