Cuban Art Booms at Christie's New York Auction
Christie's New York Latin American art auction saw a dramatic surge in demand for Cuban artists, with five personal records set. The boom is linked to the Obama administration's restoration of diplomatic and economic ties with Cuba. Top lot was Rufino Tamayo's "Sandias" (1969) at $2.1 million. Record prices were achieved for Mariano Rodriguez's "Palea de gallos" (1942) at over $1 million, Carlos Enríquez's "Héroe criollo" (1943) just under $1 million, Victor Manuel's "Carnaval (Escena de comparsa)" at $319,500, René Portocarrero's "Paisaje de La Habana" (1961) at $295,000, and Fidelio Ponce de León's "Joven con Pecera" (1935) at $112,500. Argentine artist Guillermo Kuitca also set a record with "Deng Haag-Praha" (1989) at over $500,000, and Uruguayan Pablo Atchugarry with "Senza titolo" (2015) at $439,500. The trend is expected to continue at Art Basel Miami Beach.
Key facts
- Christie's New York held a Latin American art auction.
- Five personal records were set for Cuban artists.
- Mariano Rodriguez's 'Palea de gallos' (1942) sold for over $1 million.
- Carlos Enríquez's 'Héroe criollo' (1943) sold for just under $1 million.
- Victor Manuel's 'Carnaval (Escena de comparsa)' sold for $319,500.
- René Portocarrero's 'Paisaje de La Habana' (1961) sold for $295,000.
- Fidelio Ponce de León's 'Joven con Pecera' (1935) sold for $112,500.
- Rufino Tamayo's 'Sandias' (1969) was the top lot at $2.1 million.
- Guillermo Kuitca set a record with 'Deng Haag-Praha' (1989) at over $500,000.
- Pablo Atchugarry set a record with 'Senza titolo' (2015) at $439,500.
- The boom is linked to Obama's restoration of US-Cuba diplomatic and economic ties.
- The trend is expected to continue at Art Basel Miami Beach.
Entities
Artists
- Rufino Tamayo
- Mariano Rodriguez
- Carlos Enríquez
- Victor Manuel
- René Portocarrero
- Fidelio Ponce de León
- Guillermo Kuitca
- Pablo Atchugarry
Institutions
- Christie's New York
- Sotheby's
- Art Basel Miami Beach
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Cuba
- Miami
- Argentina
- Uruguay