PARIS.- On December 4 and 5, Sotheby’s Paris concluded the year with two significant auctions of modern and contemporary art, achieving a combined total of over €15.5 million. These sales, held at Sotheby’s new location at 83 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, showcased an expertly curated selection of works that drew international collectors. Approximately 45% of the lots surpassed their high estimates, marking a strong finish for 2024, with the annual total for this specialty exceeding €112 million.

Françoise Mayer and Marc Sohier Collection: A Visionary Legacy

The highlight of the week was the auction of the Françoise Mayer and Marc Sohier collection, which fetched €5,932,920. This collection represents the vision of Françoise Mayer, a trailblazing gallery owner who championed kinetic art and geometric abstraction in Europe. Her legendary gallery in Brussels was home to groundbreaking exhibitions that defined 20th-century aesthetics.

Key works from the collection included masterpieces by Lucio Fontana, Alexander Calder, Josef Albers, Kenneth Noland, and Larry Bell.

• Lucio Fontana’s "Concetto Spaziale" Series: The standout piece was Concetto Spaziale from 1962, part of the artist's iconic Metalli series. This copper masterpiece, featuring seven perforations symbolizing a new spatial dimension, achieved €2,160,000, more than doubling its low estimate. Other Fontana works included Concetto Spaziale, Ellisse (1967), which sold for €588,000, and Concetto Spaziale, Teatrino for €288,000.

• Larry Bell’s Minimalism: Cube #5, a quintessential example of Californian minimalism, fetched €210,000 after intense bidding, doubling its estimate.

• Josef Albers’ "Homage to the Square": This 1963 piece, notable for its innovative color studies, sold for €816,000, surpassing expectations.

Modern & Contemporary Art Sale: Exceptional Results

The December 5 online auction featured a wide-ranging collection, spanning from Impressionism to contemporary works, and brought in €9,425,160.

• René Magritte’s "L’État de veille": This 1958 gouache, featuring the artist’s signature motifs of clouds and window frames, realized €1,056,000.

• Auguste Rodin’s "Éternel printemps": This sensual bronze sculpture tripled its estimate to sell for €960,000.

• Niki de Saint Phalle and Manolo Millares: Highlights included Madeleine or Nana Patchwork, a unique piece by Saint Phalle, which sold for €288,000, and Millares’ Personaje, which fetched €228,000.

• Sam Szafran’s "Sans titre (Philodendrons)": Acquired directly from the artist in 1995, this work achieved €336,000. Szafran’s depiction of philodendrons reflects a harmony between nature and human environments.

Market Response to Exceptional Works

Claudia Dwek, Chairman of Contemporary Art for Europe, noted the market’s enthusiasm for rare works by Lucio Fontana:

"When masterpieces like Fontana’s Concetto Spaziale emerge from private collections, they consistently reach new heights. This was evident in October with the sale of Fontana’s Maschere for over €4 million, and once again this week with the Metallo from the Mayer-Sohier collection."

A Year of Remarkable Sales in Paris

These auctions concluded a strong year for Sotheby’s Paris, reflecting the enduring appeal of modern and contemporary art. The Mayer-Sohier collection, in particular, stood out for its historical and aesthetic significance, offering collectors a glimpse into a visionary era of artistic innovation.

As Paris continues to solidify its position in the global art market, these results reaffirm the city’s role as a hub for exceptional art and groundbreaking sales.