It says something about the art world and its overfocus on contemporary art that a painting can set the record high price at auction for 2011, and smashing a couple of other high marks, too — but the whole thing got little notice in the U.S., though smaller prices did.
Why? Perhaps because it’s an Old Master painting? That’s the only thing I can think of.
Last week, at Sotheby’s London, Venice, a view of the Rialto Bridge, looking north, from the Fondamenta del Carbon, by Francesco Guardi, fetched nearly $42.9 million, including the buyer’s premium — exceeding the high estimate (which does not include the premium). It’s the highest price ever for a Guardi, the highest ever for a “view painting,” and the second highest ever for an Olf Master painting. Here’s a BBC account and here’s one from Dawn, with a few more details.
The buyer has remained anonymous.
UPDATE: Bloomberg, I’ve discovered, covered it too.