The Blue Rider („Blaue Reiter“) took off at a gallop at the Vienna Dorotheum auction of modern art on 18th May 2011: Signal works by Alexej Jawlensky and Paul Klee, protagonists of this famous artist group, once considered 'degenerate' by some, rose to dizzying levels in the course of minute-long bidding battles in the auction hall and via telephone. An early Wasserburg Landscape by Jawlensky was sold for 593.800 Euro, the iconic portrait Abstract Head: Pensive went to an Italian bidder for 398.300 Euro (cat. no.. 902 and 901), while the lyrical water-colour Lakeshore in the Rain by Paul Klee was sold overseas for 179.800 Euro (cat. no.. 904).

The auction also provided an opportunity for Austrian art to shine. Pride of place went to Alfons Walde, whose Ascent fulfilled the promise of the title by selling for 582.300 Euro, achieving a new world recordfor this artist's work at an auction sale (cat. no. 931). At 191.300 Euro a painting by Rudolf Hausner likewise brought in a new world record price (cat. no.. 991).

Museum-quality was very much appreciated, both with the Surrealists where Oscar Dominguez' La Couturière from the Paul Eluard Collection fetched 191.300 Euro, and for a never-before available work by Victor Brauner which sold for 145.300 Euro (cat. no.. 914 u. 915).

At the end of the day, this had become the most successful Dorotheum auction of modern art to date.

Press Office: Mag. Doris Krumpl, doris.krumpl@dorotheum.at
Tel. +43-1-515 60-406