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BY ALBERT CHEN
Amid continued strong demand for Surrealist art, Bonhams achieved ‘white glove’ results—100% of lots sold—for Surrealist Treasures | The Urban S. Hirsch III Collection. The highly anticipated auction, which concluded on January 17 in Los Angeles, garnered an astonishing $778,000 in total sales, with numerous lots exceeding pre-sale estimates and setting new records.
The collection, a meticulously curated selection of over 120 Surrealist and Old Master prints and unique works, was assembled by the late Urban S. Hirsch III (1941–2024), a renowned businessman and philanthropist. Hirsch’s discerning eye and passion for graphic works were on full display, attracting intense bidding from collectors across the globe.
The undeniable centerpiece of the auction was The Seven Deadly Sins (1558) by Flemish Renaissance master Pieter Bruegel the Elder. This intricate set of prints sold for $89,400—more than four times its estimate—achieving a record price for the edition. The success of Bruegel’s work was matched by another of his creations, The Seven Virtues (c. 1559-60), which fetched $33,280.
Among the Surrealist highlights, Leonora Carrington’s enigmatic Tuesday (1987) stunned the auction world, selling for $76,700—38 times its estimate and achieving a record for the edition. Similarly, Dorothea Tanning’s evocative Birthday (Self Portrait at Age 30) (c. 1970) fetched $20,500, more than six times its estimate and a new high for the edition.
Additional standout sales included Belvedere (1958), a lithograph by the legendary M.C. Escher, which achieved $51,200—double its pre-sale estimate. Pedro Friedeberg’s whimsical Eight Hand and Foot Table (circa 1970) sold for $15,360. René Magritte’s surreal lithograph Les Bijoux Indiscrets (Kaplan 3) (1963) also fetched $15,360.
Morisa Rosenberg, Head of Prints & Multiples in Los Angeles, attributed the auction’s success to the exceptional curation of the collection. “We are thrilled with the success of this exceptional collection,” Rosenberg said. “Hirsch used his passion for graphic works and in-depth knowledge to thoughtfully curate an incredibly interesting selection of high-quality works which really excited collectors.”
The white glove achievement underscores the enduring appeal of Surrealist and Old Master works, while the record-breaking prices highlight the growing demand for rare and historically significant pieces. Urban S. Hirsch III’s legacy as a collector and connoisseur has now been cemented, his vision celebrated in a landmark event for the art market.
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