deutscher and hackett sets new auction record in august auction

Deutscher and Hackett’s August fine art auction presented a strong offering of contemporary through to colonial paintings with results that didn’t disappoint. There was strong competition for contemporary works with many selling at the upper estimate or above. Bill Henson’s iconic Paris Opera Project photograph (est: $12,000 – 16,000) achieved $20,400, Bronwyn Oliver’s Lunar (est: $35,000 – 50,000)sold for $60,000 and John Olsen’s magnificent Duck a l‘Orange (est: $350,000 – 450,000) achieved an excellent result, selling for $384,000.

The star of the night was Colin McCahon’s Let be, Let be, which sold for $942,000 (NZD 1,144,832) to a prominent New Zealand art dealer on behalf of a client. Indicating a strong following for McCahon’s work in Australia, the painting was underbid by an Australian collector. This new result for Let be, let be sweeps aside the previous highest price paid at auction for any New Zealand work of art, breaking the one million New Zealand dollar barrier.

The extremely rare and highly desirable Thomas Clark Murndal in the Early Days sold to a private collector for $312,000 after battle with a bidder in the room. An exceptional work, the 1860 oil on canvas had been lovingly held by one family since it was commissioned and was still housed in its original Isaac Whitehead gilt frame.  Also of the same period was a group of 13 watercolours and works on paper by William Rudolph Thomas. Selling for $55,200, the suite was acquired by a major public institution by a bidder in the room.  

Clearance rates for the auction were 71% by volume and 65% by value, with a total turnover of $3,292,260.*

*prices include buyers premium

view prices realised (click here)

For further information and images, please contact:
Merryn Schriever
Art Specialist
on ms@deutscherandhackett.com or  0411 088 621