Title: Iconic Van Gogh Masterpiece ‘Les canots amarrés’ to Fetch Up to $50 Million at Christie’s Hong Kong Auction
Subheading: Vincent van Gogh’s Late 19th-Century Landscape to Highlight September’s Sale at New Asian Headquarters
By [Your Name], Senior Correspondent, Culture Desk
Hong Kong, September 10, 2024 – A rare opportunity to acquire one of Vincent van Gogh’s most celebrated works is set to unfold this month as Christie’s Hong Kong prepares to auction Les canots amarrés (The Anchored Boats), an iconic landscape painting from the late Dutch artist’s tenure in France. The esteemed piece, which has not been on the auction block in three decades, is poised to fetch up to $50 million when it goes under the hammer at the end of September.
The auction, scheduled for September 26, will mark the inaugural sale at Christie’s new Asian headquarters in Hong Kong. The painting, a prime example of van Gogh’s mastery during his two-year stay in Paris, was once part of the royal family of Bourbon-Two Sicilies’ collection and is now being sold by Princess Camilla of that family, through a family trust.
Les canots amarrés, painted in 1887, is a testament to van Gogh’s creative evolution during his time in Asnières, a Parisian suburb. The painting, which reflects the artist’s fascination with the river landscape, features striking colors and intricate brushwork, hallmarks of his distinct style.
Jacky Ho, Deputy Head of Department for 20th/21st Century Art at Christie’s Asia Pacific, noted the significance of Les canots amarrés in the context of van Gogh’s legacy: This romantic landscape painting is renowned for its striking colors and intricate brushwork, characteristic of Van Gogh’s distinct style, making it a standout piece in any collection.
The upcoming auction is expected to attract a diverse range of collectors, with the current auction record for a van Gogh work set in 2021 at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, where Vase with Gladioli sold for $9.1 million. The Les canots amarrés is anticipated to break this record and establish a new benchmark in the Asian art market.
In addition to Les canots amarrés, Christie’s will present a selection of other European masterpieces at the auction, including Claude Monet’s Nymphéas, which is expected to fetch between $25 and $35 million, and Zao Wou-Ki’s abstract work 05.06.80-Triptyque, estimated at up to $10 to $15 million.
This auction promises to be a landmark event in the Hong Kong art trade, offering a rare glimpse into the world of one of history’s most revered artists and providing collectors with an unparalleled opportunity to own a piece of art history.
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