Sotheby’s confirmed that a colossal bronze spider sculpture has smashed the auction record for any work by a female sculptor.
The towering “Spider” creation of Louise Bourgeois, which measures over 10 feet in height and spans more than 18 feet, fetched a whopping $32.8 million, inclusive of fees, at a New York auction.
This monumental sale not only set a new high for a Bourgeois piece but also for any female sculptor’s work at auction.
The French-American artist’s spider-themed masterpieces have rarely been seen at auction, with only four ever being presented for sale. One of these pieces achieved a sale price of $32.1 million, including fees, at a Christie’s New York auction in May 2019.
The overall auction record for any artwork by a female artist remains in possession of Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Jimson Weed” painting. It was purchased by Walmart heiress Alice Walton’s Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, in 2014 for $44.4 million.
The record-shattering sculpture auctioned on Thursday previously belonged to Brazil’s Fundação Itaú.
Even though Bourgeois, who passed away at 98 in 2010, only began crafting her iconic spiders in her 80s, these imposing figures have come to be her most celebrated works.
Various museums of international repute, including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Dia Beacon in New York and Tate Modern in London, proudly display sculptures from this series.
Kelsey Leonard, who heads Sotheby’s Contemporary Evening Auction in New York, regarded the spectacle of the sculpture’s sale, setting a record price for Louise Bourgeois and becoming the most expensive sculpture ever by a female artist, as a truly remarkable moment.
Leonard further praised Bourgeois’ Spiders as undeniable masterpieces of 20th-century art, stating, “Revered worldwide, these potent yet gentle sculptures command a compelling presence, a fact that was unequivocally demonstrated in our galleries this season.”
In a display of towering artistry and craftsmanship, the sale of Louise Bourgeois’ “Spider” serves as a testament to the enduring impact of her work. With this historic sale, Bourgeois’ legacy further entrenches itself in the annals of the art world, reaffirming her place as one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. Bourgeois’ monumental spiders, while conceived late in her career, have become an enduring symbol of her artistic prowess, captivating audiences globally and commanding record-breaking prices at auction.
