Picasso’s Mistresses Conquered Christie’s Automatic translate

Portraits of three beloved women of the great artist of the twentieth century, Pablo Picasso, raised the maximum amount at London’s Christie’s, who opened a series of art auctions, which will be held in the next few weeks.

The most outstanding lot at the evening auction of the Impressionist and Contemporary Art Department was the portrait of Dora Maar, who became Picasso’s mistress and muse after Maria Theresa Walter.

The painting, dated 1939, has not been exhibited in public since 1967. Despite the preliminary estimate of 6.4-12.8 million dollars, the canvas went under the hammer for 29.1 million.

The second largest amount was received for the "Sleeping Girl", 1935 - a portrait of Walter, for which collectors gave 21.9 million dollars. The canvas, valued at 14.35-19.15 million dollars, was transferred in 2010 by an unknown benefactor to the University of Sydney on the condition that the painting will be sold and the proceeds transferred to the institution’s research fund.

“When this masterpiece was handed over to us, our philanthropist said that“ this picture will change the lives of many people, ”said Michael Spence, vice chairman of the University of Sydney. - He was right. We are grateful for the incredible generosity and are delighted with the proceeds of the auction. "

In third place was the painting "Bust of Francoise" ("Buste de Francoise", 1946), which was sold for 17 million dollars. Francoise Gilo was an artist and writer. She became Picasso’s mistress in the forties of the last century and gave birth to two children from him.

According to preliminary results published on the auction website, the total amount collected over the evening amounted to $ 233.73 million, compared to a preliminary estimate of $ 183-263 million.

Christie’s main rival, Sotheby’s, held a similar auction on Wednesday.