When Discourse Has the Upper Hand Over Art // The 21st Century

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By Souren Melkian

Future historians peering at the outcome of art sales this year may conclude that the early 21st century was the time when abstract notions took precedence over visual perception.

That trend came out strongly in Sotheby’s auction of Impressionist and Modern art on Tuesday. In earlier days, the offerings, which were mostly modest, would have been greeted with commensurately modest prices. The 35 lots that found takers could never have added up to £112 million, about $167 million, not even in a market as bullish as it was this week.

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