Nicholas Orchard, Head of Modern British Art, Christie’s London and William Porter, Head of Sale: "The Modern British Art Evening Sale launched 20th Century at Christie’s realising £26,387,500 / $34,831,500 / €30,055,363, the highest total to date for an evening sale in the category, with exceptional sell-through rates of 94% by lot and 97% by value. Registered bidders from 20 countries across 5 continents underlines the growing international appeal for Modern British Art. The sale was led by Henry Moore’s unique carving Head (£4,621,250 / $6,100,050 / €5,263,604). Further demonstrating the appetite for modern sculpture, world auction records were achieved for Barry Flanagan’s Nijinski Hare (£1,448,750 / $1,912,350 / €1,650,126), Emily Young’s Cautha (£344,750 / $455,070 / €392,670 – 25 times the previous record), both of which were included in the annual exhibition ‘Sculpture in the Square’, and Kenneth Armitage’s Striding Figures (Version 2) (£218,750 / $288,750 / €249,156). Samuel John Peploe’s Still Life with Tulips also achieved a world record for the artist (£992,750 / $1,310,430 / €1,130,742), while Sean Scully’s M.18.04 sold for £488,750 / $645,150 / €556,686, more than three times its estimate of £150,000 and a record in the medium for the artist. Additional sculptural highlights included Khan by William Turnbull (£692,750 / $914,430 / €789,042), Barbara Hepworth’s Tiki (£1,808,750 / $2,387,550 / €2,060,166) and Lynn Chadwick’s Jubilee IV (£2,024,750 / $2,672,670 / €2,306,190).

Demand for British painting showed continued global appeal with strong results for the group of Richard Lin paintings from the collection of the artist’s daughter, which all soared above estimate: Painting relief 1965-66 (£236,750 / $312,510 / €269,658), September 1974-79 (£344,750 / $455,070 / €392,670), and Stripes 1968-70 (£272,750 / $360,030 / €310,662). Spirited bidding was seen for Bridget Riley’s Shadow Rhythm (£1,628,750 / $2,149,950 / €1,855,146), which doubled its high estimate of £800,000, and Frank Auerbach’s iconic London street scene Mornington Crescent Looking South II (£608,750 / $803,550 / €693,366). Notable interest was also seen for Sir Stanley Spencer’s Portrait of Kate Morrell (£536,750 / $708,510 / €611,358), David Hockney’s Two Pink Flowers (£536,750 / $708,510 / €611,358) and Pauline Boty’s Portrait of Derek Marlowe with Unknown Ladies (£248,750 / $328,350 / €283,326). 20th Century at Christie's continues with the Modern British Art Day Sale on 20 June at 1pm."

Artist Records

Kenneth Armitage, Striding Figures (Version 2), £218,750 / $288,750 / €249,156

Barry Flanagan, Nijinski Hare, £1,448,750 / $1,912,350 / €1,650,126

Samuel John Peploe, Still Life with Tulips, £992,750 / $1,310,430 / €1,130,742

Emily Young, Cautha, £344,750 / $455,070 / €392,670  

Record in the Medium

Sean Scully, M.18.04, £488,750 / $645,150 / €556,686