The 5 Top Art Sales of the Year

As we bid adieu to 2023, the Australian art market has unwrapped its annual chronicle of sales, a saga of breathtaking prices and artistic gems. This year's auction scene was a colorful mosaic, a blend of the cherished classics and the surprisingly new, narrating the evolving story of a market in subtle transition. Here are the top five sales of this year's art market:

 

 

1. John Peter Russell's 1897 Belle-Ile Masterpiece

Dominating the charts with a sale price of A$3,927,273, Russell's "Souvenir De Belle-Ile" not only broke the artists record but also reaffirmed the enduring allure of Australian Impressionism. This tranquil depiction of Marianna Russell among goats at Deutscher and Hackett became the year's crowning glory.

 

2. Whiteley's "Yellow" - A Vivid Canvas of Colour

Brett Whiteley's "Yellow," a vibrant expression from 1975, fetched A$3,190,909 at Smith & Singer. This sale affirmed Whiteley's unyielding prominence in the Australian art scene, his work remaining a magnet of both controversy and admiration.

 

3. Fred Williams' "Masons Falls" - The Bush Reimagined

Equaling Whiteley's "Yellow" in price, Fred Williams' "Masons Falls" captivated collectors with its abstracted vision of the Australian landscape. This 1981 masterpiece is a prime example of Williams' genius in translating the rugged bushland into a language of stark beauty.

 

4. Nolan’s "Early Morning Township" - A Nostalgic Vista

Garnering A$2,700,000, Sidney Nolan’s 1955 work captures a nostalgic era in Australian art. This Ripolin and oil painting encapsulates the essence of the Aussie outback, tinged with Nolan's unique sense of mystery.

 

5. Another Whiteley Masterpiece - "South Coast After The Rain"

Brett Whiteley's second entry in the top five, "South Coast After The Rain," sold for A$2,209,091, is a blend of oil and collage that epitomises Whiteley’s enduring enchantment with the Australian landscape.

 

Images Courtesy of Auction House © The Artist or assignee