Christie's auction house says a Henri Matisse oil painting has sold at auction for $41.1 million, (euro 35.9), including the buyer's premium, a record price for a work by the celebrated French artist." Henri Matisse’s 1911 still life of cowslips in a vase, “Les coucous, tapis bleu et rose,” (The Cowslips, Blue and Rose Fabric) was estimated at 12 million euros to 18 million euros.
"A collection with this quality of modern paintings is scarce,” said a Paris-based art adviser. He said he was not surprised to see high prices paid even in a recession: "Established private collectors, art foundations and new players want this kind of cake.”
The vibrantly-colored 2-foot, 4-inch high canvas had been bought by Saint Laurent and Berge in 1981. The work was bought in the room by the New York- based art dealer Franck Giraud. The auction record for Matisse was previously $33.6 million, set at Christie’s New York in November 2006.
