Paris – Piazza d'Italia painted in 1959 by Giorgio de Chirico achieved €381,400 at Bonhams' Surrealism Sale yesterday (Wednesday 30 March 2025) in Paris. The work had a pre-sale estimate of €220,000 - €280,000 and was one of the highlights of the sale. Vestali e tempietti in riva al mare, work on paper executed in the late 1930 also by Chirico, which came from an Italian private collection, sold for €30,720, against an estimate of €7,000 to 9,000.
The 55-lot sale made a total of €1 million with 96% sold by value.
Emilie Millon, Head of Bonhams' Impressionist & Modern Art department in Paris, commented: "For the third year running, we're delighted to have organized this themed sale. Today's results show the continued interest in this area, especially the fantastic results for works by women artists. L'âme de Newton by Jane Graverol doubled its pre-sale estimate and Libellule by Valentine Hugo sold 6 times its estimate. These results show that their work is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. The Illustrated Books section achieved strong prices especially for works by women artists such as Unica Zürn and Valentine Hugo "
Two works by Francis Picabia (1897-1953) from the Transparencies series were offered, with fractured portraits and interlacing imagery. In Salaganes, oil on canvas painted circa 1932, which sold for €165,500, Picabia mixes multiple subjects into one ambiguous scene, combining imagery of men's faces with a vast seascape. An Untitled work on paper from an Italian private collection sold for €20,480.
Other highlights of the sale included:
• L'âme de Newton by JANE GRAVEROL (1905-1984), oil on Masonite painted in 1968 sold for €70,250, more than twice its pre-sale estimate.
• Janus by MAX ERNST (1891-1976) is a rare bronze with black patina, executed at the end of May 1974 sold for €38,400.
• Appliquée by PAUL ELUARD (1895-1952) illustrated by Valentine Hugo sold for €24,960.
• La fête et la profondeur noire by JACQUES HEROLD (1910-1987), oil on canvas, painted in 1964, sold for €20,480 against an estimate of €9,000 to 12,000.
• Libellule by VALENTINE HUGO (1887-1968), gouache and coloured pencils on black paper sold for €19,200, six times its pre-sale estimate.
• Oracles et Spectacles by UNICA ZÜRN (1916-1970) sold for €14,080 against an estimate of €8,000 to 10,000.
