The Getty is revealed as the buyer of Manet's 'Spring'

A portion of the work 

"Spring"

Written by The AP

Friday, 07 November 2014 07:54

The J. Paul Getty Museum was revealed on Nov. 6 as the buyer that paid a record $65.1 million for Edouard Manet's "Spring," a celebrated portrait of a Parisian actress as an embodiment of the season.

The painting will join several other Manet works on display by the end of the year, the Los Angeles museum said.

"Spring" was auctioned Wednesday at Christie's in New York City. The price, which included Christie's commission, was well above the expected high price of $35 million.

It also nearly doubled the previous record of $33.2 million paid four years ago for "Self Portrait with a Palette," another work by the 19th century French artist.

The Getty's other Manet works include "Portrait of Madame Brunet," "The Rue Mosnier with Flags," "Bullfight" and "Portrait of Julien de la Rochenoire."

Painted in 1881, two years before Manet's death, "Spring" portrays actress Jeanne Demarsy in a flowered dress, bonnet and parasol. It was presented at the 1882 Paris Salon.

"Spring" was intended to be one of four paintings featuring Parisian women representing the seasons but Manet only completed "Spring" and "Autumn" before he died in 1883 at 51.

The painting had few owners and had been in the collection of an American family for more than a century.

Christie's did not identify the seller but said proceeds will benefit a private American foundation that supports environmental, public health and other causes.

Spring was the last of Manet's Salon paintings still in private hands, Getty Director Timothy Potts said in a statement.

"It is a work of extraordinary quality and beauty, epitomizing Manet's influential conception of modernity, and executed at the height of his artistic powers," Potts said.

                     
Art Portraits

New Record Set at Art Auction Francis Bacon

A cameraman films Francis Bacon's 'Three Studies of Lucien Freud' on display at Christie's on October 14, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) | Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images.

NEW YORK (AP) — A 1969 painting by Francis Bacon set a world record for most expensive artwork ever sold at auction.

"Three Studies of Lucian Freud" was purchased for $142,405,000 at Christie's postwar and contemporary art sale on Tuesday night. The triptych depicts Bacon's artist friend.

The work sold after "6 minutes of fierce bidding in the room and on the phone," Christie's said in a statement. The price includes the buyer's premium. Christie's did not say who bought the painting.