Milano Spring Auctions 2019: Record Results for Schifano and Morandi

The spring 2019 art market in Milan concluded with strong results, driven by miart and the auctions of Christie's and Sotheby's. Christie's achieved a white-glove sale on April 3, selling 100% of lots, and a total of €13,932,875 across two sessions. Sotheby's auction on April 11 realized €17,500,500, up from €13,631,875 in 2018, with 88.6% of lots sold. World records were set for Mario Schifano's 'Con anima' (1965) at €972,500 and '7 Agosto 1961' at €948,500, and for Giorgio Morandi's 'Natura morta' (1939) at €900,500. Other notable sales included Giorgio de Chirico's 'Intérieur métaphysique' (1925) at €876,500, a joint work by Lucio Fontana and Roberto Crippa 'Venerdì Santo a Madrid' (1960) at €756,500, and records for Gastone Novelli (€360,500), Sergio Lombardo (€275,000), and Atanasio Soldati (€97,500). The positive market sentiment was bolstered by miart, where many galleries reported strong sales, and the concurrent Salone del Mobile, enhancing Milan's international appeal.