ZZURICH.- This evening in Zurich, Sotheby’s set a new world auction record for Félix Vallotton, when the Nabi masterpiece, Au Marché sold for CHF 3,492,500 following intense bidding in the room and on the telephone. This result confirms Sotheby’s unrivalled track record, eclipsing the previous record of CHF 2,937,500, set in December 2000*. This exceptional work drove the total of tonight’s Swiss Art/Swiss Made sale to CHF 7,464,875.

Also tonight, Vallotton’s exquisite interior, La cuisinière soared above its pre-sale high estimate, reaching a final price of CHF 1,452,500. Tonight’s results confirm Sotheby’s outstanding success at auction for works by Vallotton, a highly coveted artist both on the Swiss market and the wider international stage.

AU MARCHÉ - CHF 3,492,500
· New world auction record for the artist

· Superb example from Vallotton’s most highly coveted Nabi period

· Showcases the artist’s strong outlines and bold colour, inspired by Japanese woodcuts

· Lot 17, Est. CHF 1.5 – 2 million

LA CUISINIÈRE - CHF 1,452,500
· An exquisitely detailed interior illustrating the decorative side of the Nabi philosophy

· Five bidders competed in the room and on the telephone for this work

· The painting features Vallotton’s beloved, Hélène Chatenay

· Lot 26, Est. CHF 350,000 – 450,000

SALE TOTAL CHF 7,464,875


*Previous record at auction for Félix Vallotton: Sur la plage, sold for CHF 2,937,500 at Christie’s Zurich, 5 December 2000