Lot 3028. Carstian Luyckx (1623 Antwerp circa 1677), Memento Mori still life with musical instruments, books, sheet music, skeleton, skull and armour. Oil on canvas. 73.5 x 92.5 cm. Estimate: CHF 30 000 - 40 000 (€ 25 000 / 33 330). Sold for  CHF 538 000, the second highest price ever realized by a work by Luyckx at auction. © Koller Auctions Zurich

ZURICH.- At times the bidding seemed to know no bounds in Koller’s Old Master Paintings auction on 23 March. Numerous works sold for multiples of their pre-sale estimates, providing ample evidence (if any was needed) that the market for good-quality works in this field is still going strong. The top lot was a memento mori painting by 17th-century Flemish artist Carstian Luyckx, charged with fascinating symbolic imagery related to the politics of war. Estimated at CHF 30 000 – 40 000, the bidding soared to CHF 538 000, the second highest price ever realized by a work by Luyckx at auction. This rediscovered painting was a major revelation within the artist’s oeuvre. 

Cf. my post: Carstian Luyckx, Memento Mori still life with musical instruments, books, sheet music, skeleton, skull and armour

Another sleeper was Anthony van Dyck’s portrait of an Italian noblewoman. Its imperfect condition prevented it from selling for much more than $50 000 the last time it was offered in New York in 1999, but this time it elicited extraordinary interest, and a battle between two telephone bidders finally ended at CHF 264 500. Further 17th-century works by Bernardo Strozzi, Meindert Hobbema and Clara Peeters also attained six-figure results amidst spirited bidding. 

Lot 3045. Anthony Van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - 1641 London), Portrait of an Italian noblewoman. Oil on canvas, 48 x 37.7 cm. Estimate CHF 20 000 / 30 000 (€ 16 670 / 25 000). Sold for CHF 220 000 © Koller Auctions Zurich

Cf. my post: Anthony Van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - 1641 London), Portrait of an Italian noblewoman

Several 19th century paintings also sold well beyond expectations, such as a charming work by German artist Eduard Grützner depicting three monks happily examining an erotic engraving, which doubled its estimate at CHF 102 500, and a luminous Isle of Capri architectural scene and landscape by Leo von Klenze which sold for CHF 78 500 against an estimate of CHF 25 000 – 35 000. 

Koller’s next Old Master & 19th Century auctions in September of this year will be a part of their 60th anniversary celebrations, which will commence during the Modern & Contemporary auctions this June.