BY ALBERT CHEN

In a thrilling auction event, a remarkable bronze sculpture by Rembrandt Bugatti has set a new world record in Paris, fetching an impressive €3,678,400 at Bonhams’ Impressionist and Modern Sale on June 5, 2024. The 69-lot auction, which amassed a total of €5,207,738, witnessed fierce bidding for this iconic piece, culminating in enthusiastic applause when the hammer finally fell.

The centerpiece of the auction, Bugatti’s bronze sculpture of three walking panthers, captivated collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Cast by the esteemed founder Adrien-Aurélien Hébrard, this piece stands out not only for its artistic merit but also for its significance in Bugatti’s oeuvre.

Bénédicte van Campen, Bonhams’ Senior International Specialist, hailed the sale as a historic moment, stating, “This is the strongest result for a work by Rembrandt Bugatti ever seen at auction. Featured on the cover of the catalogue raisonné of the artist’s work, written by Véronique Fromanger, this unique piece is the most iconic sculpture by the artist, exceptional by its size and its beautiful patina.”

Rembrandt Bugatti, born in 1884, carved a niche for himself in the art world with his extraordinary animal sculptures. His dedication to capturing the essence of his subjects is evident in his meticulous process.

Bugatti often chose exotic animals from the zoos of Paris and Antwerp as his models, introducing species such as yaks, secretary birds, elephants, lions, and kangaroos to European art in a sculpted form for the first time. His approach involved intensive observation, enabling him to create lifelike portraits by capturing each animal’s most expressive gestures.

Panthers, in particular, held a special place in Bugatti’s heart. He described these majestic creatures as “his companions in life and work,” forming a unique bond with them during his frequent visits to the Jardin des Plantes in Paris.

Unlike humans, he found panthers to be less aggressive and more natural in their behavior, which allowed him to work closely with them, crafting his models in their presence. This deep connection and understanding are palpable in the bronze sculpture that set the record, a testament to Bugatti’s ability to capture the true spirit of his subjects.

Bugatti’s collaboration with Adrien-Aurélien Hébrard, whom he met at the young age of 20, was pivotal in his career. Hébrard not only cast Bugatti’s works but also played a crucial role in promoting them. He exhibited Bugatti’s new creations annually at his gallery on rue Royale in Paris and organized retrospectives every five years.

These exhibitions toured prominent venues across Europe and the United States, including official Salons in Venice, Milan, Brussels, Berlin, Antwerp, and New York, cementing Bugatti’s reputation as a master sculptor.

The unprecedented sale of the bronze panthers highlights the enduring appeal and significance of Bugatti’s work in the art market. Collectors and art historians alike regard his sculptures as masterpieces of naturalistic representation, imbued with a sense of movement and vitality that brings the animals to life.

This particular piece, with its exquisite detail and dynamic composition, exemplifies Bugatti’s exceptional talent and his unique approach to animal sculpture.

As the gavel came down and applause echoed through the auction room, the sale of Bugatti’s bronze panthers not only set a new benchmark for the artist’s work but also reaffirmed the timeless allure of his art.

This momentous event at Bonhams will be remembered as a landmark in the world of art auctions, celebrating the genius of Rembrandt Bugatti and his unparalleled contribution to animal sculpture.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in over 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. It is a global network of auction houses boasting the largest number of international salerooms and offering the broadest range of collecting categories, catering to all price points. Recognized for its bespoke service and dedication to fostering local market relationships, Bonhams enhances its global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams hosts over 1,000 sales annually, spanning more than 60 specialist categories such as fine art, collectibles, luxury items, wine & spirits, and collector cars.

Also Read

Rare 15th Century Astrolabe Fetches Over $600,000 Doubling Pre-Sale Expectations

Story submitted by Bonhams. The World Art News (WAN) is not liable for the content of this publication. All statements and views expressed herein are opinions only. Act at your own risk. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. © The World Art News

The post Rembrandt Bugatti Bronze Sculpture Sets World Record, Selling for €3,678,400 at Bonhams Auction appeared first on World Art News.

The maverick artist is working with 1OF1, collectors of high-level digital art, to offer owners of his “CHAOS” video sculpture series the chance to have them “fused” into new animations

Signs on show across London’s East Bank highlight the endangered rhyming dialect

Reduced value, mixed results dent idea of contemporary art as investable asset

Venerable brand looks to refresh its image with late-night venue and revamp of outdoor Parcours section

Albergo dei Poveri renovation is the latest stage of the Italian city’s cultural renaissance

Supreme auditing body Cour des comptes judges Paris museum’s five-year renovation project as “underfunded and insufficiently piloted”

Henry Moore and Roger Mayne: June exhibitions at the Courtauld

In June 2024, the Courtauld Gallery in London presents the exhibitions “Henry Moore: Shadows on the Wall” and “Roger Mayne: Youth”

Source: Courtauld Gallery · Image: Courtauld Gallery in Somerset House, London. Photo by Stephen Richards, license Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Somerset_House,_Strand.jpg

Henry Moore: Shadows on the Wall (8 June – 22 September 2024)

This focused exhibition considers Henry Moore’s (1898 – 1986) celebrated “Shelter” drawings as the point of departure for a new reading of the artist’s fascination with images of the wall, during and immediately after World War II. From the London Underground, where Moore drew figures sheltering from the bomb raids, the walls of these spaces came to absorb his attention in an altogether new way, becoming scene-setters, and key components of his drawings. This fascination with the bricks and the presence of walls, their texture, mass and volume, became especially important after his project to illustrate the wartime radio play The Rescue, based on Homer’s “Odyssey”.

Roger Mayne: Youth (14 June – 1 September 2024)

Acclaimed British photographer Roger Mayne (1929 – 2014) celebrated the lives of young people growing-up in his evocative documentary images in the 1950s and early 1960s. Self-taught and widely influential in the acceptance of photography as an art form, he was passionate about photographing human life as he found it – most famously the working-class communities of West London. Capturing children at play and the emerging phenomena of the swaggering teenager, Mayne discovered in the young a defining energy that perfectly embodied both the scars and radicalism of post-war Britain.

This exhibition of around 50 photographs focuses on this central thread in Mayne’s work, bringing together his iconic street scenes of London with little-known intimate images of his own family at home in Dorset from the late 1960s and ‘70s.

While the two bodies of work, street and family, have a different tenor, they are united by a radical empathy with his subject and the desire to create a photographic image with lasting impact, sensitivity and artistic integrity. With Mayne’s post-war subjects now in their more senior years and a new generation faced with myriad crises, Mayne’s deliberations on growing up, childhood, adolescence and family feel especially poignant and timely.

BY ALBERT CHEN

Prepare for an extraordinary journey as cult artists The Connor Brothers partner with Bonhams for a spectacle unlike any other. Set to unfold on June 12th at Bonhams New Bond Street, London, the “Anything But Ordinary” auction promises a captivating showcase of remarkable treasures, with special attention given to the magnificent Triceratops Skull.

Renowned for their captivating artwork blending wit and profundity, The Connor Brothers are visionary creators and avid collectors with a penchant for the extraordinary. Their curated collection for the auction spans diverse realms, featuring masterpieces by iconic artists alongside awe-inspiring relics of natural history.

Highlights of the sale include the Triceratops Skull, a prehistoric marvel estimated at £70,000 – 100,000, poised to mesmerize bidders with its ancient grandeur.

Another fossilized wonder, the Edmontosaurus Skull, estimated at £35,000 – 45,000, evokes the mystique of a bygone era.

Also featured is Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Riddle Me This, Batman,” a captivating screenprint from the Superhero Portfolio, estimated at £35,000 – 45,000, offering a glimpse into the enigmatic world of the iconic artist.

Additionally, a Greek Bronze Pseudo-Corinthian Helmet, estimated at £25,000 – 35,000, encapsulates the splendor of classical antiquity.

Grayson Perry’s “The American Dream,” an evocative etching in colors, estimated at £25,000 – 35,000, invites contemplation on the complexities of modern society. The Connor Brothers & Noel Gallagher’s collaborative masterpiece, “These Are Crazy Days,” estimated at £2,000 – 3,000 and bearing the signatures of both artists and Noel Gallagher, offers a unique fusion of artistry and music.

In commitment to philanthropy, a portion of the auction proceeds will support The Teenage Cancer Trust. The event will also feature a special appearance by guest DJ Mel C of the Spice Girls, ensuring an atmosphere of excitement and celebration throughout the evening.

Carolin von Massenbach, Head of Bonhams Prints & Multiples Department in London, expressed anticipation, stating, “We are incredibly excited to welcome The Connor Brothers back to Bonhams for this very special auction alongside our June Fine Prints and Multiples sale. Having worked with them on a number of occasions, and having sold many of their works, we’re thrilled to have them bring their own passion as collectors to curating a sale that really is anything but ordinary.”

Prepare to be enthralled as the Triceratops skull and a myriad of other extraordinary treasures steal the spotlight, promising an auction experience that transcends the bounds of convention.

Also Read

Rare First Edition of Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” Sells for Double Estimate at Bonhams Auction

Story submitted by Bonhams. The World Art News (WAN) is not liable for the content of this publication. All statements and views expressed herein are opinions only. Act at your own risk. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. © The World Art News

The post Massive Triceratops Skull, Valued at $100,000, to be Auctioned in Support of Teenage Cancer Trust appeared first on World Art News.