TEFAF NY Online Sales
November 5 2020
Picture: Artnews.com
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The inaugural online TEFAF NY fair ended yesterday. Artnews.com have published an interesting article giving some details of works which have been sold during this experimental online-only event. As I reported back in September, each dealer was represented by one single item to avoid 'online viewing room fatigue'.
Amongst the top items reported as being sold was the above painting of an interior by Vilhelm Hammershøi offered by Di Donna Galleries. The article claims that the work was sold for in the region of $5m during the VIP preview, which is quite remarkable considering the same picture sold for £388,800 (inc. premium) at Sotheby's in 2005.
The aforementioned classical bust of Hercules, dug out of a garden in 1984, is reported to have found a buyer willing to part with an undisclosed seven figure sum. The article doesn't seem to mention any old master paintings being sold, which is intriguing.
Lots of the quotes from various dealers suggest the experiment was a success, especially in terms of coming up with engaging digital content. Yet as a commercial success, it seems that we are left wondering for now.
