PRESS INFO

Record set at Dorotheum auction
Prague 24.9.2005

A record figure of 20.7 million crowns was set at the Dorotheum art and antiques auction on Saturday.

Of the total 561 items offered for auction, 57%, or 323 items were sold, with a total value of 20.7 million crowns. Not including auction commission, the auction thus made a total of 17.9 million crowns. The average increase in the price of items sold was around 82%.

The highest price was recorded by “Opuštěná” (Abandoned) by Croatian artist, Vlaha Bukovac dated circa 1916. With a reserve of CZK 380 thousand, bidding finally stopped at 1.4 million crowns. This was the second time that Bukovac had been the centre of attention at Dorotheum auctions this year. Second was ,,Koupání" (Bathing) by Alfréd Justitz, whose price rose from CZK 200 thousand to 1 million crowns. A major surprise was Petar Dobrovič, whose ,,Město s palmami" (City with Palms) rose from a reserve of CZK 40 thousand to an unbelievable 450 thousand crowns. Surprisingly, all of the paintings by Rudolf Kremlička remained unsold, as well as Slavíček’s “Les” (Forest). Brožík’s ,,Portrét mladé dámy" (Portrait of a Young Lady) was sold for 550 thousand crowns, as was Václav Špála’s ,,V přístavu v Marseille" (In the Port at Marseille). An interesting price was also paid for ,,Zátiší" (Still Life) by Zdeněk Sklenář, which was sold for 500 thousand crowns. There was special interest in all nine paintings from the Bedřich Feigl estate.

In the drawings and graphic art category, the auction saw interest in František Tichý, but Russian, Filip Andrejevič Maljavin drew even more attention with his ,,Studie dívky v kroji" (Study of a Young Girl in Folk Costume) rising from CZK 30 thousand to an amazing 70 thousand crowns. Just like at the spring auction, there was also great interest in the collection of photographs by Josef Sudek.

A sculpture by Jaroslav Horejc ,,Dívka s rohem hojnosti" (Girl with Cornucopia) was sold for 280 thousand crowns, with a reserve of just 80 thousand crowns.

The next Dorotheum auction will be held on 26 November 2005, traditionally at the Renaissance Prague Hotel.

Contacts:

Dr. Maria Gálová, Dorotheum, tel.: 224 222 0011
Dr. Allan Gintel, Galateia, tel.: 233 323 410