Richter, Koons and Doig dominate contemporary art sale in London

Jul 1, 2009, 10:24 GMT

   London - An auction of post-war and contemporary art, including works by Scottish painter Peter Doig, Germany's Gerhard Richter and US artist Jeff Koons, realized a total of 19.1 million pounds (31.8 million dollars) at Christie's in London, the auction house said Wednesday.

Doig's Night Playground, a rare urban view showing night falling on a playground, sold for 3 million pounds, fetching the second-highest price ever for the leading British contemporary artist who is better known for his landscape paintings.

Gerhard Richter's 1974 painting 1025 Farben (1025 Colours), which was offered for sale at auction for the first time, sold for 1.3 million pounds - its lowest pre-sale estimate.

The work, one of the last in Richter's series of colour charts, had been in the ownership of a European collector since 1974.

The Tuesday evening sale offered several distinctive works by US artist Jeff Koons, all of which were offered at auction for the first time.

Moustache, his 2003 work from the Popeye series, sold for 1,1 million pounds, topped by Flowers, which fetched for 1.3 million pounds. Koon's stainless steel sculpture Rabbit sold for 337,250 and his Walrus (Blue) fetched 361,250 pounds.

Christie's said that more than 85 per cent of the lots on offer were sold at the auction, reflecting the 'continued stability of the market.'

However, pre-sale estimated had put the expected total above 20 million pounds.