A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of art by van Gogh, set to go under Christie’s hammer on 26 September, is about to make waves in the global art market
For the first time in more than thirty years, Vincent van Gogh’s Les Canots Amarres (Moored Boats) will go under the hammer at Christie’s Hong Kong, marking an extraordinary moment in both art and auction history. This masterpiece, painted during van Gogh’s pivotal time in Paris, is projected to fetch a staggering HKD$230 million to HKD$380 million. If realised, this sale will establish Les Canots Amarres as the most expensive piece from the artist’s time in France and obliterate records for Western art sold in Asia, surpassing Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Warrior, which sold for HKD$323.6 million in 2021.
The painting has a rich provenance, held for decades by the Royal Family of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, descendants of monarchs who once ruled southern Italy and Sicily. Originally purchased by Italian actress Edy Vessel at Sotheby’s London in 1991, the painting is now being sold by her daughter, Princess Camilla, through a family trust.
Part of a celebrated triptych of summer scenes painted in Asnières during van Gogh’s two-year stay in France, Les Canots Amarres is widely regarded as the artistic pinnacle of this period. With its signature dreamlike portrayal of everyday life, the piece captures the unique style that would define van Gogh’s later career and influence generations of artists.
Having remained out of the public eye for nearly two decades, the sale of Les Canots Amarres marks a momentous occasion for collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Paired with another exceptional work, Claude Monet’s Nympheas, this auction cements Christie’s position as a premier destination for Western masterpieces in Asia.
More than just an auction, this event also reflects the Bourbon-Two Sicilies family’s enduring commitment to preserving and sharing art of historical and cultural significance, offering the public a rare glimpse into their storied collection. As this Van Gogh prepares to set a new standard in the Asian art market, the excitement surrounding its auction is palpable, heralding a new era for art collecting in the region.
