Kitagawa Utamaro (1753?-1806), “Deeply Hidden Love (Fukaku shinobu koi)” from the series “Anthology of Poems: The Love Section” (Kasen koi no bu), with pink mica ground. Sold for $844,000 (world auction record for the artist; world auction record for any Japanese print).

PARIS — On June 21, Beaussant Lefèvre in association with Christie’s sold the Portier collection of Japanese art at Drouot in a packed saleroom. During the Parisian Asian Art Week, European and international bidders, including Americans, Japanese and others, paid tribute to the fine taste of this family of experts and collectors. Numerous bidding battles animated the sale in the salesroom, on the phones and online, resulting in a grand total of $1.7 million. A total of 100 percent of the lots offered were sold.

The highly anticipated print titled “Deeply Hidden Love (Fukaku shinobu koi)” by Kitagawa Utamaro, sold for an impressive $844,000, including buyer’s premium, achieving a world auction record for the artist along with a world auction record for any Japanese print.

After the sale, Eric Beaussant and Pierre-Yves Lefèvre, auctioneers; Géraldine Lenain, international director of Asian arts at Christie’s; and Alice Jossaume, expert in Asian arts, said “We are very pleased with the success of the sale and with our collaboration, which highlighted the wise selection of four generations of collectors and major figures of the Asian art market. Quality, rarity, provenance and high-end bids make this collection one that will remain in the books of great Japanese art sales in Paris.”

For information, +33 1 40 76 85 88 or www.christies.com.