Munich, 14 June, 2014, (kk) – More than € 20.4 million*, that is the excellent result of Ketterer Kunst's auctions** for the first term of 2014. "This result even excels the record achieved last spring by € 800,000 and with € 1.260,000* realized by Günther Uecker's "Hommage à Fontana I", we even set a new world record***", says Robert Ketterer.

Auctioneer Robert Ketterer selling Günther Uecker's "Hommage à Fontana I" for a record result of € 1.260,000*

At the same time, this new record price, as well as a result of € 1.320,000* for Wassily Kandinsky's "Gewebe", are the highest individual results achieved in a German auction in the first half of 2014, both in the section of Modern Classics as well as Contemporary Art. The company owner explains: "Our concept of offering high quality at attractive price estimates has proven successful, additionally, it provided the highest semi-annual proceeds in the sections of Modern and Contemporary Art in Germany". This is also a very good sign for the upcoming autumn auctions in the second half of our jubilee year.

The fact that art has become a popular commodity for which buyers have to dig deep into their pockets is shown by 29 results that cracked the € 100,000 line, as well as by the partly very sharp increases. The section of Modern Classics alone had 18 results beyond that magic line and increases of up to 450%****. Wassily Kandinsky's 'Gewebe' almost soared to a sevenfold of its starting price. Additionally, works by, among others, Käthe Kollwitz, Georg Kolbe, Otto Mueller, Gabriele Münter, Emil Nolde, Max Pechstein, Oskar Schlemmer and Max Slevogt were particularly sought-after.

The highlight in the section of Post War Art was not only the world record price for Günther Uecker's work, but more than a dozen works by ZERO artists in general that were entirely sold with excellent increases. Accordingly, this art movement eventually receives the recognition it has long deserved. Other important works came from internationally acclaimed names such as Frank Auerbach, Willi Baumeister, Jean Dubuffet, Lucio Fontana, Anselm Kiefer, Ernst Wilhelm Nay, Serge Poliakoff and Gerhard Richter.

The section of Contemporary Art, which had its debut with an own catalog last autumn, was represented with an extended range of offerings in the jubilee year, comprising works by German artists like Norbert Bisky, Jonas Burgert, Martin Klimas, Dirk Skreber and Matthias Weischer. First place is occupied by Daniel Richter, whose "Scharnier, von gestern zu morgen" realized a result of more than € 100,000* and accordingly the highest individual result in this section. The line of young and sought-after artists was completed by international names such as Maurizio Cattelan, Rodney Graham, Jack Goldstein, Bjarne Melgaard, Steven Parrino and Erwin Wurm.

The section of Old Masters & Art of the 19th Century was also quite successful, as its high quality range of offerings, coupled with attractive starting prices, saw increased demand. This tempting combination attracted almost 40% first time buyers, not only from Germany, but predominantly from Holland and Poland, as well as from other European countries and the U.S.A. Alongside artists from the 19th century like Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski, Franz von Defregger and Alexander Koester, the Old Masters also made for great results. A Flemish fleet of ships in oil experienced a remarkable increase just like a drawing that was originally attributed to Frans van Mieris the Elder and has now been confirmed as a work by the artist's hand.

The overall result of more than € 1.5 million* made for great satisfaction in the department of Rare Books - Manuscripts - Autographs - Decorative Graphic. Christoph Calaminus, head of the department, explains: "More than 20% first time buyers clearly show that this auction has great appeal with many new international clients". He continues: "Both loyal long-term clients as well as an ever increasing number of new bidders value the quality we offer. This is also proven by the average increase of around 50% *** per sold object".

TOP results in all sections for the first half of 2014

Modern Classics
Wassily Kandinsky - Gewebe
starting price:    € 190.000       result:    € 1.320.000*

Hermann Max Pechstein - Boote am Dangaster Priel / Kühe (painted on both sides)
starting price:   € 550.000       result:    € 660.000*

Otto Mueller - Selbstbildnis mit Rückenakt (im Hintergrund Elfriede Timm)
starting price:    € 300.000       result:    € 550.000*

Post War
GüntherUecker - Hommage à Fontana I
starting price:    € 200.000       result:    € 1.320.000*

Willi Baumeister - Mo
starting price:   € 300.000       result:    € 440.000*

Lucio Fontana - Concetto Spaziale, Attese
starting price:   € 350.000       result:    € 427.000*

Contemporary Art
Daniel Richter – Scharnier von gestern zu morgen
starting price:    €  80.000       result:    € 100.000*

Steven Parrino – no title
starting price:   €  50.000       result:    € 85.000*

Jonas Burgert – Potsdam-Zyklus Teil I
starting price:   €  55.000       result:    € 83.000*

Old Masters & 19th Century Art
Frans van Mieris d.Ä. (originally attr., now confirmed) - Interieur mit zwei Damen
starting price:   €    320       result:    €  83.000*

Flämisch - Schiffsflotte vor der Küste
starting price:   €   1.600       result:    € 76.000*

Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski - Glückliche Kutschfahrt
starting price:   €  24.000       result:    €  65.000*

Rare Books - Manuscripts - Autographs - Decorative Graphic - Hamburg
L'Apocalypse de Saint Jean. Paris 1961
starting price:   €  54.000       result:    €  80.000*

Pablo Picasso- The Art Council of Great Britain. London 1960
starting price:   €   1.400       result:    €  46.000*

Christoph Jakob Trew - Plantae selectae. Nuremberg 1750
starting price:   €  20.000       result:    €  33.000*

Since it was founded in 1954, Ketterer Kunst has been firmly established in the front ranks of auction houses dealing in art and rare books, with its headquarters in Munich and a branch in Hamburg. Gallery rooms in Berlin as well as representatives in Heidelberg, Düsseldorf and Modena (Italy) contribute substantially to the company's success. In addition, exhibitions, special theme and charity auctions as well as permanent online auctions on www.ketterer-internet-auction.com are regular events at Ketterer Kunst. Robert Ketterer is auctioneer and owner of Ketterer Kunst.

*     The rounded result is the hammer price plus buyer's premium
**    Unlike other German auction houses, Ketterer Kunst holds its seasonal auctions on
     several days, which is reflected by the overall proceeds of more than
      € 20 million* for spring 2014.
***   source: www.artnet.de
****  The percentage indicates the ration between starting price (minimum hammer price)
       and hammer price.