The Small Empty Canoes of Peter Doig

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

A few days ago, I expressed that the American Richard Diebenkorn, painter of atmospheres, was constantly moving between figuration and abstraction. We turn now to the next generation, with the British Peter Doig.

In London on 7 February 2007, Sotheby's recorded the exceptional bid of £ 5.7 million fees included for White Canoe, an oil on canvas dated 1990-1991, 2 x 2.4 m, which had been estimated 800 K £. In the middle of colored spots at the center of the image, a small white canoe, very bright, and its reflection are standing out. When inspecting this strong point, the spots take a form to show us a river landscape. The canoe is empty, dehumanizing the subject.

The painting at Christie's, for sale on May 13 in New York, is titled Night Fishing. The canoe in the center of a landscape of estuary or sea shore merges with its surroundings. We want to see it better, and so its presence is strengthened. We imagine the silhouette of two fishermen.

Painted in 1993, this work of 2 x 2.5 m is estimated $ 3 million.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

This lot is exciting. Sold $ 4.6 million premium included, this painting fetches an intermediate price between the conservative estimate of Christie's and the unexpected result obtained by Sotheby's in 2007.

The two artworks having many common characteristics, we can consider that the result of Christie's confirms Sotheby's. I will keep this example in mind as one of those case studies which show that the auction price is never the result of chance, and that the analysis of the artwork is much more important in the construction of price than signature and dimensions.

This has not always been true. Twenty years ago, the signature had much more effect.