ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Fontana and Banksy Lead Bonhams London Auction

market-auction · 2026-04-27

On June 29, 2023, Bonhams New Bond Street in London conducted two auctions that collectively generated £8.7 million. The first auction, titled '20th Century Masters | A Private Collection,' showcased 29 lots from a private collection, achieving £4,964,000 with a remarkable 90% sell-through rate by lot and 99% by value. The highlight was Lucio Fontana's 'Concetto Spaziale, Attese' (1960), which sold for £1.7 million, aligning with its estimate of £1.3-1.8 million. Additional Fontana pieces, 'Concetto Spaziale, Attese' (1966) and another from 1960, sold for £825,900 and £635,400, respectively. The collection featured works by notable artists like Emilio Vedova and Georg Baselitz. The second auction, 'Post-War and Contemporary Art,' included 49 lots and totaled £3,755,000, with an 86% buy-through rate. Banksy's 'Congestion Charge' (2004) fetched £1,681,000, while Tom Wesselmann's 'Monica Nude With Matisse (Black Variation #3)' (1987/91) sold for £254,400, and Ron Gorchov's 'General' (1980-1981) set a record at £152,800.

Key facts

  • Bonhams London auction on June 29, 2023, totaled £8.7 million across two sessions.
  • Single-owner sale '20th Century Masters | A Private Collection' achieved £4,964,000 with 90% sold by lot.
  • Lucio Fontana's 'Concetto Spaziale, Attese' (1960) sold for £1.7 million, the top lot.
  • Fontana works had not been publicly exhibited for fifty years and were first-time on market.
  • Banksy's 'Congestion Charge' (2004) from Paul Smith's collection sold for £1,681,000.
  • Post-War and Contemporary Art session reached £3,755,000 with 86% lots sold.
  • Tom Wesselmann's 'Monica Nude With Matisse' sold for £254,400.
  • Ron Gorchov set a record with 'General' (1980-1981) at £152,800.

Entities

Artists

  • Lucio Fontana
  • Banksy
  • Emilio Vedova
  • Antoni Tapiès
  • Georg Baselitz
  • Jean Fautrier
  • Valerio Adami
  • Nicola De Maria
  • Jean-Paul Riopelle
  • Massimo Campigli
  • Tom Wesselmann
  • Ron Gorchov
  • Paul Smith

Institutions

  • Bonhams
  • Artribune

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • New Bond Street

Sources