DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY — Hargesheimer Kunstauktionen’s 160th sale was conducted September 9-12, featuring jewelry, European works of art, Nineteenth Century paintings, musical instruments, sculptures and Old Master paintings. Bringing the auction’s top price was “Der Soldat von Marathon (The Soldier of Marathon)” by Alexandre-Hippolyte Charles (1845-1918), which sold in the third session. The oil on canvas painting, 52¼ by 65¾ inches framed, was accompanied by a 9¾-by-12½-inch oil study and was marked with the artist’s stamp to the reverse. The work was completed for the Prix de Rome competition — the highest award for young artists at the Paris École des Beaux-Arts. The virtuoso painting, strengthened by its storied provenance, departed from a private collection in Düsseldorf, selling to a phone bidder in Greece for €46,440 ($53,567 USD), including buyer’s premium (€10/20,000). Additional highlights from the auction will be featured in an upcoming issue.
