Bonhams Paris Sale Achieves €3M with Soulages, Kusama & Kiefer Leading Strong Post-war Results
On December 4, 2025, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris hosted a Post-War and Contemporary Art auction that generated €3 million, with 82% of the items sold. The highlight of the event was Pierre Soulages's 1990 artwork, Peinture 45 x 45 cm, 8 novembre 1990, which sold for €356,000, equaling the price of a 1963 piece by Yayoi Kusama from her Accumulation series. Additionally, five paintings from Michel Tapié's personal collection fetched €45,696. A 1968 artwork by Mel Ramsden, associated with the Art & Language group, exceeded expectations, selling for €56,280. The auction also established a world record for Harold Stevenson. Deputy Chairman Giacomo Balsamo expressed satisfaction with the results, particularly for Soulages, Kusama, and Anselm Kiefer, noting a sell-through rate by value of 99.26%.
Key facts
- The auction took place on December 4, 2025.
- The sale total was €3 million.
- 82% of lots were sold.
- The top lot was a Pierre Soulages painting that sold for €356,000.
- A Yayoi Kusama work from 1963 also sold for €356,000.
- A world auction record was set for Harold Stevenson.
- Five works from Michel Tapié's collection sold for €45,696.
- An Art & Language work signed by Mel Ramsden sold for €56,280, doubling its estimate.
Entities
Artists
- Pierre Soulages
- Yayoi Kusama
- Anselm Kiefer
- Harold Stevenson
- Mel Ramsden
- Michel Tapié
Institutions
- Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr
- Bonhams
- Art & Language
Locations
- Paris
- France