Thursday, September 24, 2009

Whiteley picture sells for $1.1 million

A Brett Whiteley painting creep over the million-dollar mark at auction last night to become the first artwork to be sold for seven figures in Australia this year.
The late painter's large The Sunrise, Japanese: Good Morning! Just made the price to estimate of $1.1 million to $1.4 million set by auctioneer Menzies Art Brands and went to an undisclosed phone bidder for a hammer price of $1.1 million after moderate bidding at the Kensington auction.
There was keen interest in the sale amid signs that confidence has begun returning to a subdued art market that has had a distinct require of top-end works on offer this year.
The Sunrise, Japanese, painted in 1988, was part of a collection of paintings being sold by the millionaire Tasmanian mathematician and art collector David Walsh. It was finally bought for $764,500 (including buyer's premium) in September 2004.

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