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Year in Review: Capsule 2022

Take a look back at some of the year's most exciting bids.

Words by
Capsule
Published on
December 19, 2022

2022 has been one for the books at Capsule: together with our partners, we've curated 44 successful auctions of artwork and design items in the past 12 months. To celebrate, we're looking back at some of the year's most exciting bids and noteworthy trends. 

Record-Setting Sales



Franz Hagenauer, Bust, sold for $19,375
Franz Hagenauer | Bust, sold for $19,375
Capsule

Among the many lots that smashed estimates this year is Franz Hagenauer's Bust. The metal sculpture realized a price of $19,375, surpassing its $2,000-$4,000 estimate and becoming the highest selling sculpture by the artist sold this year. 

Clara Klinghoffer, Portrait of 'Bananas', The Pedlar (1923), sold for $10,938
Clara Klinghoffer | Portrait of 'Bananas', The Pedlar (1923), sold for $10,938
Capsule

The sale of Clara Klinghoffer's Portrait of 'Bananas', The Pedlar marked an especially exciting moment. In January, the painting, which came to Capsule from Klinghoffer's estate, set an all-time auction record for the artist. 

From left: Hugo Erfurth, Portrait of Otto Dix with Paintbrush (1929), sold for $13,750; Hugo Erfurth Portrait of Otto Dix with Flower (1929), sold for $20,000
From left | Hugo Erfurth, Portrait of Otto Dix with Paintbrush (1929), sold for $13,750; Hugo Erfurth, Portrait of Otto Dix with Flower (1929), sold for $20,000
Capsule

In November's Postwar and Contemporary Art sale, two stunning photographs by Hugo Erfurth of Otto Dix brought enthusiastic bidding. Portrait of Otto Dix with Paintbrush realized $13,750 while Portrait of Otto Dix with Flower realized $20,000, becoming the most expensive photograph by Erfurth sold at auction since 2018. 

Tancrède Synave, Première à Paris du 'Spectre de la Rose' (1914), sold for $19,375
Tancrède Synave | Première à Paris du 'Spectre de la Rose' (1914), sold for $19,375
Capsule

French artist Tancrède Synave's 1914 painting, Première à Paris du 'Spectre de la Rose' is another market standout. In June, it brought $19,375, the highest price seen at auction for a work by Synave since 2009. 



James Hiroshi Suzuki, Divulge, sold for $19,375
James Suzuki | Divulge, sold for $19,375
Capsule

A beautiful example of James Suzuki's Post-painterly abstraction, Divulge became the second most expensive work by the artist ever sold at auction in June, when it realized $19,375.

Highlights from Prominent Collections


From left: Gustav Klimt, Study for The Bride, sold for $58,750; Frederic Leighton, An Athlete Wrestling a Python, sold for $75,000
From left | Gustav Klimt, Study for 'The Bride', sold for $58,750; Frederic Leighton, An Athlete Wrestling a Python, sold for $75,000
Capsule

Outstanding items from the collection of music executive Seymour Stein have made appearances in many of Capsule's marquee auctions, including American and European Art, which saw the sale of Gustav Klimt's Study for 'The Bride', and New Day Rising, which saw the sale of Frederic Leighton's An Athlete Wrestling a Python. 

From top left: Pair of Chinese Elm Folding Step Stools, sold for $48,750; Two Pairs of Chinese Stools, sold for $23,750 sold for $20,625;  Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Trunk, sold for
From top left | Pair of Chinese Elm Folding Step Stools, sold for $48,750; Two Pairs of Chinese Stools, sold for $20,625; Louis Vuitton monogram canvas trunk, sold for $23,750
Capsule

This summer, Capsule spotlighted items from the estate of Joseph Rondina in a two-part sale. The interior designer's Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Trunk and two lots of Chinese stools sold particularly well.

Trending Women Artists 




From left: Janice Biala, Untitled (Landscape), sold for $16,250; Janice Biala, Snowscape, sold for $7,188
From left | Janice Biala, Untitled (Landscape), sold for $16,250; Janice Biala, Snowscape, sold for $7,188
Capsule

2022 has been an exciting year for women artists: efforts across the market to close the gender gap have aided in creating an upward sales trajectory for artists like Janice Biala. The Polish-American artist's Untitled (Landscape) and Snowscape enjoyed enthusiastic bidding in Capsule's Postwar and Contemporary Art sale. 

Judith Rothschild, Alcestis VI, sold for $10,938
Judith Rothschild | Alcestis VI, sold for $10,938
Capsule

Judith Rothschild's work has also been trending on the market in recent years. In May, her bright abstraction Alcestis VI realized $10,938. 

From left: Lynn Davis, Iceberg #3, Disko Bay, Greenland, 1988, sold for $20,625; Lynn Davis, Iceberg #22, Disko Bay, Greenland, 1988, sold for $4,625
From left | Lynn Davis, Iceberg #3, Disko Bay, Greenland, 1988, sold for $20,625; Lynn Davis, Iceberg #22, Disko Bay, Greenland, 1988, sold for $4,625
Capsule

May's Limelight auction also saw the sales of two large-format landscpae photographs by Lynn Davis: Iceberg #3 and Iceberg #22. 

Memorable Moments at Litchfield


Fernando Zobel de Alaya, Abstract, sold for $84,500
Fernando Zobel de Alaya | Abstract, sold for $84,500
Capsule

In June, Litchfield Auctions secured the $84,500 sale of Fernando Zobel de Alaya's Abstract. From the estate of Mary Erlanger, this compelling composition marks the highest-selling contemporary painting of the year within our partner network.

A selection of items from the collection of John Prindle.
A selection of items from the collection of John Prindle.
Capsule

This year, Litchfield also offered items from the estate of John "Parker" Prindle. Eternally curious and passionate about art, Prindle's vast collection is refreshingly varied. Packed with beautiful design items from big names like Paul Evans and Ettore Sottsass as well as fine art of all mediums, it's no surprise that the 4-part sale produced outstanding results. 

Modern and Contemporary Paintings

This year, Capsule sold a slew of important modern and contemporary paintings by artists such as Milton Resnick and Stanley Boxer. See some of the most exciting lots below. 

Dan Christensen, Nerine, sold for $12,500
Dan Christensen | Nerine, sold for $12,500
Capsule
Milton Resnick, Luna, sold for $37,500
Milton Resnick | Luna, sold for $37,500
Capsule
Stanley Boxer, Murmuring Rip of Bled Appeal, sold for $14,375
Stanley Boxer | Murmuring Rip of Bled Appeal, sold for $14,375
Capsule
Theodoros Stamos, The Door No. 3, sold for $51,250
Theodoros Stamos | The Door No. 3, sold for $51,250
Capsule

Works on Paper

Works on paper also garnered considerable interest this year, resulting in some of 2022's most remarkable auction hits. 

George Rodrigue, Blue Dog (with Blue Spots), sold for $19,375
George Rodrigue | Blue Dog (with Blue Spots), sold for $19,375
Capsule
David Hockney, Peter, Royal Pacific Motel, San Francisco, sold for $23,750
David Hockney | Peter, Royal Pacific Motel, San Francisco, sold for $23,750
Capsule
Joe Eula, Portrait of Elsa Peretti, sold for $5,000
Joe Eula | Portrait of Elsa Peretti, sold for $5,000
Capsule
John Falter, Halloween, sold $7,188
John Falter | Halloween, sold for $7,188
Capsule
Otto Mueller, Standing Male Nude, sold for $40,000
Otto Mueller | Standing Male Nude, sold for $40,000
Capsule

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