An online bidder paid $9,602,500 for Edward Hopper’s October on Cape Cod oil at Christie’s American art auction in New York on November 28th, thus set new record for the most expensive item sold online at any international auction house.
The painting from 1946, one of a few number of important oils by the artist still in private hands broke the previous record from 2010 when a Shang dynasty bronze wine vessel was sold for $3,3 million.
Edward Hopper (1882-1967), renowned American realist painter and printmaker spent several months in the Cape Cod, Massachusetts’ easternmost portion, each year in life, where he actually painted October on Cape Cod oil, which depicts house in remote area in Cape, tinged with autumn light and imbued with a profound sense of silence.
Christie’s American art auction in New York realised $38.5 million in all – with 72% of lots selling. That figure includes the $1.8 million sale of Hopper’s Barn at Essex; the Massachusetts scene comfortably beating its $1.2 million high estimate.
“The sale of October on Cape Cod via Christie’s LIVE proves once again that our clients are eager to use our online channel to grow their collections with works of significant value and quality. This record-setting online price is a testament to clients’ embrace of the online bidding option as a regular and integral component of doing business with Christie’s,” said Steven P. Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Christie’s International.
Since 2007, every category of fine art, antiques and collectibles sold in Christie’s salerooms worldwide have been enabled for online bidding.