Modigliani's Nu Couché Sells for $157 Million at Sotheby's, Italian Art Market Rebounds

On May 14, 2018, Sotheby's New York sold Amedeo Modigliani's 'Nu Couché (sur le côté gauche)' for $157,159,000, the highest price for the artist at auction. The 1917 painting, measuring 89.5 x 146.7 cm, was estimated above $150 million based on the artist's previous record of $170 million set by Christie's in 2015 for a smaller version. The work had been purchased by the current owner for $26 million in 2003 and was recently exhibited at Tate Modern's Modigliani retrospective. The sale underscores a robust global art market, with the Art Basel & UBS Report estimating total market volume at $63.7 billion, up 12% from 2016. Italian 20th-century art also saw strong results: in March, Christie's and Sotheby's London sold all 8 and 11 Italian lots respectively, totaling £21.3 million and £19.5 million. Milan auctions in April raised €14.5 million (Christie's) and €13.6 million (Sotheby's), showing signs of recovery. The miart 2018 fair was the best ever, attracting international galleries. Among Italian modernists, Umberto Boccioni set a record of £9 million in London for 'Dinamismo di un calciatore' (1913), while Mario Sironi's market remains local but may revive. The Fondazione Prada exhibition 'Post Zang Tumb Tuuum' features both artists, with Boccioni's work on loan from MoMA.