Hans Hartung Masterpiece Sells for $1.4 Million at Piguet Auction House

Piguet Hôtel des Ventes in Geneva, Switzerland, set new benchmarks in the art world this week, as a major work by the renowned abstract painter Hans Hartung fetched CHF 1.2 million ($1.4 million USD) at auction, placing it among the top 10 highest-selling pieces by the artist globally. This milestone, achieved in a somewhat challenging international art market, underscores Geneva’s growing importance as a key destination for high-profile art auctions.

The painting, titled T1948-17, dates back to 1948, a turning point in Hartung’s career. Measuring 97×130 cm, this large-format work is from a period when Hartung, following his service in World War II, regained his artistic momentum and became a leading figure in abstract art.

“T1948-17” by Hans Hartung © Piguet Auction House

The painting’s provenance, tied to the Lydia Conti gallery in Paris and prominent collectors Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zadok, added to its value. Hartung’s works from the 1940s are rare, further enhancing the appeal for the successful bidder.

The Hartung sale was the highlight of Piguet Hôtel des Ventes’ Modern and Contemporary Art auction on September 25 in Geneva, which featured 39 lots. The auction brought in a total of CHF 6.2 million ($6.8 million USD), solidifying Piguet’s status alongside major international auction houses.

Among the notable pieces sold were an oil painting by Bernard Buffet, which sold for CHF 70,000 ($77,000 USD), and works by celebrated artists such as Pablo Atchugarry and Maria Elena Vieira da Silva.

Bernard Buffet | Piguet Auction House — Bernard Buffet © Piguet Auction House

Private Collections Draw High Interest

Private collections were a major highlight of Piguet Hôtel des Ventes’ September auctions, attracting considerable interest and delivering strong results. The sale of the contents from the Geneva townhouse of Mr. and Mrs. J.-P. Slavic, beautifully decorated by Christophe de Mirambet, was a standout success. With 98% of the lots sold, the auction totaled CHF 547,000 ($640,000 USD), three times its estimate.

The collection of Oscar-winning actor Sir Peter Ustinov also performed well, with 90% of the lots sold for a total of CHF 60,000 ($70,000 USD). Among the notable items was a 1989 gold medal of honor awarded to Ustinov as a UNICEF ambassador, which fetched the highest bid.

Sir Peter Ustinov 1989 UNICEF Gold Medal of Honor © Piguet Auction House

Additionally, the auction of Chinese and Japanese art from the collection of Chinese-German painter Li Ai Vee surpassed expectations, quadrupling its estimate and achieving CHF 200,000 ($233,000 USD). The remainder of her collection is scheduled for sale at Piguet’s auctions in December 2024, and in March and June 2025. Overall, the auctions saw more than 95% of lots sold, highlighting Piguet’s prominence in Geneva’s competitive art market.

Private Collections Draw High Interest

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