The flagship event of the Romanian art market – “Autumn Auction – Top 100 Masters of Romanian Art” recorded impressive results last night at the Cesianu-Racoviță Palace. Art collectors and enthusiasts, educated investors and businessmen gathered to celebrate art at the gala auction, confirming the interest in Romanian cultural heritage and the development of the Romanian art market. “Autumn Auction – 100 Best Great Masters of Romanian Art”, organized by Casa A10 by Artmark, registered a total amount of almost 900 thousand euros and the amount of the award was approx. 80%, this is the 2023 auction with the best result.

The top of the awards was headed by the national artist Nicolae Grigorescu, who was present at yesterday’s auction with three small masterpieces, awarded for a total of 227,000 euros. Due to fierce competition from collectors present in the auction room or online, the auction prices for each of the 3 paintings exceeded the house estimate. The work “On Kimpinita”, which comes from the historical collection of Aleksandr Vlahutse, was sold at auction for 82,000 euros (exceeding the estimate of 30,000-50,000 euros). The work “Case la Câmpina” was awarded for 80,000 euros (exceeding the estimate by 25,000-45,000 euros), and a small work representing the traditional theme of the “ox cart” – “Column of ox carts, evening” was awarded 65,000 euros (exceeding the estimate of 40-60 thousand euros). These remarkable results clearly show that Nicolae Grigorescu remains a reference name in Romanian art, preferred by collectors – and more importantly, by a new generation of collectors, connected to the fact that it is not surprising that the auctioneer of two of Grigorescu’s small masterpieces is in the age segment of 30-40 years.

Following the national artist in the top of last night’s awards is the artist Nikolaje Tonica. The work “Courtyard in Mangalia” was awarded for 37,500 euros, and the work “View of the Mediterranean Sea” – for 35,000 euros (which is 3 times higher than the estimate of 10-16 thousand euros). Avant-garde artist Arthur Segal, whose work “Sunflower”, which comes from the collection of the famous British artist Barry Mason, was awarded €13,000.

As every year, also in the framework of the “Autumn Auction – 100 Best Great Masters of Romanian Art”, the hierarchies were updated, setting several new absolute or national records of artists. Thus, historical artists recorded impressive results after many years: the work signed by Carole Popp de Satmari “Elegance (Portrait of Maria Bibescu)” was awarded 7,500 euros, becoming his bestseller in the last 11 years; as long ago XIX, starting from the beginnings of Romanian cult painting, Constantin Lecca registers a record for the last three years after the auction for 10,000 euros of the work “Portrait of Ephrosinia Lecca”.

In the section of postmodern and contemporary art, a spectacular work by Horia Bernea from the series “Gardens” was awarded for 28,000 euros. “Evening in the Garden” is Bernea’s best-selling work, which set an absolute record for the artist. In 2019, another large “Garden” won the Artmark prize for 26,000 euros. Also during yesterday’s event, October 19, Ion Suculescu set a record as the most sold portrait, his painting “The Artist’s Daughter” was awarded for 28,000 euros. The graphics section was headed by Stefan Lucian, whose charcoal and pastel portrait “Innocence” won a prize of €26,000. An impressive auction was announced for the work signed by Sabin Balasha, with the work “Time and Space” being won for €22,000, starting from a starting price of €10,000.

The autumn auction lasted 6 and a half hours, in a festive atmosphere, 115 indoor and 127 online pallets took part in it. Heritage art remains one of the most sought after and valued by collectors and investors. Thus, the “Autumn Auction – Top 100 Great Masters of Romanian Art” confirmed the importance of the artists who dominate the Romanian art market and the masterpieces signed by them, thanks to their museum, historical and cultural value.

About Kimpinita – Nicolae Grigorescu:

Article supported by A10 by Artmark