MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.- Sotheby’s has realised $9.652million at the conclusion of part 1 of its two day sale. Doug Moran, leading Australian businessman and arts philanthropist (responsible for the Doug Moran portrait prize and photographic prize), purchased William Dobell’s Opera House, Sydney Harbour for $816,000, breaking the previous record of $497,500.

Eugène von Guérard’s The Great Lake, Tasmania 1875 was sold tonight to a private Melbourne buyer for $1,860,000. The National Trust (Victoria) is very pleased with the result and will place the money in an endowment fund for the conservation of Como House and other properties.

Numerous records were achieved including $84,000 for Shaun Gladwell’s DVD – the first to be sold at an Australian auction. Seven new individual artist records were set, including Garry Shead who doubled his previous record at auction.

Georgina Pemberton, Sotheby’s Head of Australian Art said: “Sotheby’s is delighted with the result of this evening’s auction. Numerous records were achieved including $84,000 for Shaun Gladwell’s DVD – the first to be sold at an Australian auction. Eugène von Guérard’s The Great Lake realised $1.86 million for the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and William Dobell’s extraordinary view of the construction of the Sydney Opera House achieved a new record for the artist. Seven new individual artist records were set, including Garry Shead who doubled his previous record at auction. Sotheby’s continues to hold its position as Australia’s leading auction house.”