CHICAGO, IL.- The continued strength and international appeal of Modern and Contemporary art was evident in the exceptional prices realized at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ May 2nd auction. A highlight of the sale, Ray Parker’s 1979 Untitled, sold for an impressive $58,560 against a pre-sale estimate of $25,000-$35,000—the second highest price ever achieved by the artist at auction. Chu Teh Chun’s Composition No. 125, 1962 set another record as the highest grossing work on paper by the artist, achieving $68,320.

Contemporary artists were well represented. An original collage by Theodoros Stamos flourished amidst a bidding war and brought $17,080. A mixed-media sculpture by Jesus Rafael Soto far surpassed its pre-sale estimate of $7,000-$9,000 realizing $21,960. Andy Warhol works continue to be in demand with his Ten Portraits of Jews of the 20th Century achieving $97,600 and his Liz lithograph realizing $39,040 in the Fine Print and Multiples session. The session also saw strong prices by other Post-War artists, including Stella, Rauschenberg, and Koons.

Contemporary sculpture fared well with aggressive interest from telephone bidders. Toshiko Takaezu’s Moonpot sold for an impressive $19,520—tying the auction record for the artist. A small Clement Meadmore also sold above its estimate, bringing $10,370.

Other highlights included a bronze sculpture by Israeli artist Igael Tumarkin. Selling for $20,740, it became the artist’s highest grossing bronze ever offered at auction. Ernst Neizvestny’s 1978 Minotaur did extremely well, achieving $19,520 against an estimate of $5,000-$7,000.

Modern Masters Prints such as Picasso, Chagall, Miro, and Dali saw strong bidding, including Picasso’s Femme au Collier 1959 linocut, which achieved $46,360.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers realized over $7.5 million during the five days of auctions including Fine Furniture and Decorative Arts, Modern and Contemporary Art, American and European Art and Fine Prints and Multiples.