A successful new format

Lempertz newest auction format lempertz:projects, developed and organised by Isabel Apiarius-Hanstein, represents a successful new concept that has greatly enhanced this year’s contemporary art offer, with the sale’s estimates doubling by value.

The auction exclusively featured contemporary art from two corporate collections. It attracted a particularly young audience, whose presence was felt both in the tightly packed saleroom and in numerous international online bids.

As many of the works on sale were relatively fresh to the market, they were offered at correspondingly moderate estimates, which provided a perfect opportunity especially for young collectors looking to make a glittering entry to the art market.

The Argentinian artist Luis Felipe Noé achieved the greatest success and individual price for his large canvas “Meditacion Misionera”. The piece’s original estimate of €3,000 – 4,000 was driven to a grand total of €34,700 in a battle of bidders (lot 81, illustrated). A mixed media piece by the Luxembourg based artist Robert Brandy from 1991 was a further great success, rising from the estimate of €1,000 – 1,500 to achieve €14,900 (lot 20). A canvas painted around 1997 by the American artist Tom Christopher achieved €8,000 (lot 24, €3,000 – 4,000).   

A sequel to the promising new format is planned for September.