Christie's also offers a large array of 1932

Are the auction houses shoot - to crime In other words, are they important award who climb the ratings so as to lead to dangerous overheating of the market In the 1980s, they have in any case largely contributed to over-stimulation of the sector before retiring from the game once the crisis occurred. One could say that in absolute terms they have interest to raise auctions since they take a percentage of the amount obtained from the buyer and the seller.

But things are not so simple. Medium term, to soar almost forced ratings, guided by very high estimates and that on a limited number of bidders can be dangerous. On May 2 and 3 in New York will be the Impressionist and modern sales giving economic trends in the still the most expensive sector, that of the turn of the 19th and 20th century. The area of modern art with its Ribbon of classics of Van Gogh to Picasso is benefiting from the most important media attention at the global level. It also has the greatest impact on the public with its spectacular record prices. Subsequently, the results have a psychological effect in cascade on the specialty, the top bottom of range of the offer and in the world. Today, the context of these sales is favourable. However, the application is selective. It is oriented towards recognized artists and the typical works of the painters and sculptors with also a source of quality and old. But together, as recalled by Andrew Strauss, of Sotheby's, the public of buyers is renewed with the arrival of new fortunes Western, Asian, but also Russian. Thus in February, in London, the name of viatcheslav Kantor a Russo-give-Israeli has apparently is the acquisition of a painting by Soutine representing an ox skinned for $ 7.8 million, a record for the artist. "Modigliani, Soutine, Picasso, Matisse: six years new records have been established for all the great names of modern art", said Andrew Strauss.

Sharpened competition

A favourable context draws tables and sharpens the competition between the two leaders of the market, Sotheby's and Christie's, which this season adopt different attitudes.

For its feature table, a large portrait of Dora Maar by Picasso, the firm American Sotheby's paid to the vendors, a family of Chicago, the Gydwitz, what is called a "guaranteed" whose amount was not disclosed. In other words, regardless of the level of award, they will receive a sum that could approach $ 40 million. The estimate is not printed catalogue but it's $ 50 million. While Picasso has become the most expensive artist in the world 104 million for the "young man in the pipe" in 2004 , this sum is colossal for a period of less popular than blue, pink Picasso or even the very sensual, 1932. The bet is perilous and grows the market later in the most optimistic trends. 1941 (129.5 97 Cm) canvas shows his muse (1) in a holding chamarrée with a face marked by typical distortions of the painter. Christie's also offers a large array of 1932. The work of 162 130 cm has been retained by Picasso until his death and arrived by succession among his grandson Bernard. It is clearly him who offers for sale "The rest" in New York. The source is ideal. It is composed on a brown background of spirals of bright colors that form a female body in motion. One can think that it's partly his wife Olga as a mouth shows aggressive teeth which allude to the turbulent separation of the couple at the time. The canvas is estimated $ 15 million and non-guaranteed. For some professionals such as the independent dealer installed in New York Franck Giraud: "If"The rest"was estimated 10 million more this have shocked anyone." $ 25 million, it is the amount expected by the expert from Christie's Thomas Seydoux. According to him, this season, a set of works impressionists and modern belonging to French and estimated total $ 35 million made the trip to be sold in New York.

But the flagship of the season, the museum exhibit by excellence, canvas has a purely American pedigree. It is a painting that comes from a New York collection of the 1920s and for which Christie's did not pay guarantee. This portrait of a woman in the thankless face, madame Ginoux, brothel of the bar of the station at Arles in 1890, was painted by Van Gogh while he was in the rout. His friend Gauguin comes from. He is six times the woman such a popular Madonna. This is Van Gogh as one might think. The face is represented in an expressionist style and the bottom shows wide horizontal and vertical strokes. According to Thomas Seydoux, only 7 portraits of Van Gogh among its extensive production are still in private hands. Opportunities for the acquisition of these parts there are therefore limited. The arguments should be used with billionaires collectors around the world. The work is estimated $ 40 million. Taking into account of its historical importance in modern art, it is proposed with a reasonable price compared to the portrait of Dora Maar. It should be noted that in May 1990 a portrait more poetic of Van Gogh, one of Dr. Gachet holding his head with a pensive air, near a bouquet of flowers, had been awarded for a sum which long remained an absolute record: $ 82.5 million.

Successful strategy

The strategy adopted by Christie's this time, which is to attract potential buyers indicating relatively reasonable prices, always proved successful. By contrast, Sotheby's, high estimates doubled guarantees appear most dangerous. The game of auctions, product supply and demand, is pipé by the amount paid to the owner before the hammer blow. Five tables among the more important a Matisse listed in the catalogue cover, two Picasso and a Van Gogh of French origin were guaranteed to the vendor. In this case, what final price must be taken as a reference The one paid by the House of sale to the seller or that paid by the buyer to the House of sales The world of auctions, especially at this level of transactions, remains an area of insiders.