Art: The Market

The Paris weekly Arts last week surveyed 1954 sales, noted the following market trends: Old-masters market stationary with demand moderate, but a healthy trading in old Italians, especially the Venetians. French 18th century art still gilt-edged, drawing excellent prices in London and Paris, with a small Watteau sketch selling for $7,700 and a “frivolous” little Boucher bid up to $14,000. Still leading the blue chips: the impressionists.

A Claude Monet Bouquet went for $25,000; a Renoir Jeune Fille for $37,000. In Manhattan, a Pissarro sold for $17,000.

Despite consistently high prices, few Cézannes were offered for sale. Among the contemporary painters, Matisse fetched the highest prices ($19,000 for an early fauve portrait). Derain, whose market had been irregular until his death last year, is expected to improve. Picasso is doing well, with interest centered in his early periods. Because of small output and resulting short supply. Modiglianis are likely to remain expensive (about $20,000).