2.4 million euros for well-known painting by Rik Wouters: collection of Belgian CASA founders yields a record amount
At an auction of Christie’s in Paris, the art collection of Belgian entrepreneurs Joris Onsa and Suzanne Govaerts realized expectations. The value of the 150 works of art was estimated in advance between seven and twelve million euros. The sale has landed neatly in the middle: at ten million euros.
The collection contained a large package of art by Rik Wouters. The couple had thirteen paintings and works on paper from the Fauvist in his collection. The well -known oil painting was mainly looked for Reflets, A portrait of his wife Nel from 1912. With an estimate between 500,000 and 700,000 euros, it was more than exceeded expectations. It was eventually hammered at 2.4 million euros – a new record for the artist. The Wouters package achieved everything together 4.2 million euros. The Flemish Community recently bought 1.8 million euros from the UNEA-Govaerts collection Red curtains Van Wouters, which has been on the master list since 2007.
The painting ‘De Spring’, Van Abel Grimmer, achieved 504,000 euros. – © Christie’s
Axel Vervoordt
The founder of the art collection is Karel Govaerts. In 1925 it founded the Fort company, which first specialized in dairy products, but gained great fame with the coffee brand of the same name. From 1962 daughter Suzanne and her husband Joris Onzea took over the company. Together they founded the interior chain Casa, which they sold to Blokker in 1988. To organize their villa in Itegem, they were advised by antiquarian and interior architect Axel Vervoordt.
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The style of Vervoordt, the collection combines various styles. She covered art history for about three thousand years and contained ancient Egyptian art, African statues, Eastern objects and contemporary art by Lucio Fontana and Yves Klein. Of the share of old masters, one Farmer’s wedding Van Pieter Brueghel de Jonge, estimated between 1.5 and 2.5 million euros, not sold. A painting by Adriaen Isenbrant was also withheld. The painting SpringVan Abel Grimmer, achieved 504,000 euros.
‘Boerenbruiloft’ by Pieter Brueghel de Jonge, estimated between 1.5 and 2.5 million euros, was not sold. – © Christie’s
In addition to the painting by Rik Wouters, two very different works of art became the top sales of the auction. Concetto Spazial, Attese, One of the typical Messnedes of Lucio Fontana from the 60s was sold for 1.06 million euros. An Egyptian image, a granite head of Sekhmet, achieved 819,000 euros. A Roman marble torso from Venus, from the first century, knocked on 315,000 euros.
One of the typical Messnedes of Lucio Fontana from the 60s was sold for 1.06 million euros.
