The Italian art market is continuing to rouse enthusiasm and attract the attention of worldwide famous collectors. A sector that has recorded a constant development over the years. Just think of 2007 when Christie’s and Sotheby’s held the Italian Sales in London. The former auction house had totalled 21 billion euros, while Sotheby’s almost took 22 billion. Last year, both auction houses sold 87% of their catalogue works.  A noticeable result for Sotheby’s, whose highest sale estimate reached 16,740,000 euros, thus realizing a 76% spread, almost equalling the success achieved in 2006, when an 80% increase was recorded.  On the contrary, Christie’s achieved 8% less than the highest estimates.

In the last few weeks, London city has proved to be the European capital of the art market. With sales dedicated to the modern and impressionist sector, Sotheby’s and Christie’s have confirmed the good state of the market. Indeed, the “Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale” held on 24th June fetched 144 million pounds (284 million dollars), achieving the highest total for a European auction and giving “Le bassin aux nymphèas” by Claude Monet the new world record for the artist, selling the piece for 41 million pounds.