Isabella Flores
Peter Doig is a Scottish painter known for his evocative compositions of landscapes and snow-covered mountains. He draws inspiration from his personal experiences, including childhood memories of Canada and scenes from Trinidad. In 2007, Doig's painting White Canoe sold at Sotheby's for $11.3 million, setting an auction record for a living European artist. This sale brought him significant attention and propelled him into the spotlight. Doig's unique style, combining influences from art history and his own memories, has made him a renowned figure in contemporary art, with his works selling for millions of dollars at auctions. However, Doig has expressed frustration with the crazy prices on the secondary market, highlighting that artists receive only a fraction of the sale value.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Painting | White Canoe |
| Year of Painting | 1990-91 |
| Year Sold | 2007 |
| Auction House | Sotheby's |
| Amount Sold For | $11.3 million |
| Record | Auction record for a living European artist |
| Amount Artist Received | A fraction of the sale price |
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What You'll Learn
- Peter Doig's 1990 painting 'Swamped' sold for $25.9 million at Christie's in 2015
- 'White Canoe' (1990-91) sold for $11.3 million at Sotheby's in 2007
- 'The Architect's Home in the Ravine' (1991) sold for $12 million at a London auction in 2013
- 'Night Playground' (1997-98) sold for $5 million at a Christie's auction in London in 2009
- Doig's paintings achieve high prices due to the secondary market, from which he barely profits
Peter Doig's 1990 painting 'Swamped' sold for $25.9 million at Christie's in 2015
In 2015, Peter Doig's stunning 1990 painting "Swamped" sold for a remarkable $25.9 million at Christie's auction house in London. This sale cemented Doig's place as one of the most sought-after and valuable living artists in the world. "Swamped" is a large-scale canvas measuring 244 x 305 cm and is considered a masterpiece of contemporary art. The painting's impressive auction result highlighted the strong demand for Doig's work and set a new record for the artist at the time.
"Swamped" is a breathtaking example of Doig's unique style, featuring a hauntingly beautiful landscape with a solitary canoe in the foreground. The painting is characterized by Doig's distinctive use of color and light, with a dreamlike atmosphere that draws viewers into its mysterious world. The work is an excellent demonstration of Doig's ability to blend reality and fantasy, creating a sense of otherworldliness that has become a hallmark of his artistic practice.
The painting's composition is based on a photograph that Doig had taken in 1989 of a canoe trapped in a swamp in Canada. Doig then developed the image further, adding elements of imagination and memory to create the final composition. The resulting work is a powerful and evocative landscape that invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between nature and humanity, as well as the passage of time and the impact of memory on our perception of the world.
The $25.9 million sale price of "Swamped" not only reflected the painting's aesthetic and artistic value but also Doig's significant contribution to contemporary art. This sale also highlighted the growing demand for contemporary art at auctions, with collectors eager to acquire works by renowned living artists. The auction result placed Doig among the top-selling living artists at the time, underscoring his enduring popularity and the continued appreciation of his work in the art world.
The record-breaking sale of "Swamped" at Christie's auction in 2015 not only demonstrated the power and appeal of Doig's artistic vision but also sparked further interest in his body of work. This remarkable achievement added another layer to Doig's already impressive career, solidifying his place in the history of contemporary art and ensuring his legacy for years to come. The auction result also served as a testament to the enduring power of art to captivate and inspire, as well as its potential as a valuable investment.
Overall, the sale of Peter Doig's "Swamped" for $25.9 million at Christie's in 2015 was a significant event in the art world, showcasing the artist's exceptional talent and the powerful impact of his paintings. This record-breaking auction result continues to resonate, influencing the perception and value of contemporary art in the years that followed.
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'White Canoe' (1990-91) sold for $11.3 million at Sotheby's in 2007
In 2007, Peter Doig's painting "White Canoe" (1990-91) sold for a remarkable $11.3 million at Sotheby's, firmly establishing the Scottish-born artist's place in the upper echelons of the art world. This sale marked a new record for the artist at the time and generated significant interest and discussion within the art community and beyond. The painting's impressive auction result highlighted the growing demand for Doig's work and solidified his reputation as one of the most important and sought-after contemporary artists of his generation. "White Canoe" is a stunning example of Doig's unique style and subject matter, which often blends elements of landscape, figuration, and a dreamlike atmosphere.
This particular painting depicts a solitary figure in a canoe on a misty, ethereal lake, with a distant mountain range visible through the haze. Doig's use of color and light creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, drawing viewers into the serene yet somewhat unsettling scene. The painting's composition and subject matter evoke a sense of loneliness and isolation, while the artist's distinctive style, including his use of thickly applied paint and visible brushstrokes, adds a sense of texture and depth to the work. The successful sale of "White Canoe" at Sotheby's auction not only showcased the market's strong appetite for Doig's artwork but also underscored the piece's aesthetic and emotional appeal.
The $11.3 million achieved for "White Canoe" represented a significant return on investment for the seller, demonstrating the wisdom of collecting and investing in fine art. This sale also highlighted the critical role of auction houses like Sotheby's in facilitating the exchange of such valuable artworks and connecting passionate collectors with exceptional pieces. The auction process not only determines the fair market value of a work of art through competitive bidding but also offers a transparent platform that attracts global participation.
The record-breaking sale of "White Canoe" in 2007 contributed to Peter Doig's growing list of accolades and achievements. It reinforced his standing within the art world, leading to increased recognition and further success in subsequent years. Doig's works continued to break records, with "Swamped" (1990) selling for $25.9 million in 2015 and "Rosebank" (1994) achieving $28.8 million in 2017, both at Christie's auctions. These sales firmly established Doig as one of the most valuable and collectible contemporary artists, with his works consistently attracting strong interest from collectors worldwide.
The auction of "White Canoe" at Sotheby's not only generated significant financial value but also brought renewed attention to Doig's artistic practice and the themes explored in his work. The painting's success sparked discussions and analyses of Doig's unique approach to landscape painting, his exploration of memory and nostalgia, and his ability to capture a sense of place and atmosphere. The high price achieved for "White Canoe" underscored the art market's confidence in Doig's talent and the enduring appeal of his distinctive artistic vision. This sale also encouraged a broader appreciation of contemporary art and stimulated conversations about the factors that drive the value of artworks in the secondary market.
The sale of "White Canoe" for $11.3 million in 2007 stands as a testament to Peter Doig's artistic prowess and the enduring resonance of his paintings. This auction result not only highlighted the monetary value placed on his work but also brought greater visibility to his artistic contribution, ensuring his place in the canon of contemporary art. "White Canoe" continues to be remembered as a pivotal work in Doig's career, reflecting his ability to capture the imagination and captivate audiences with his evocative and beautifully rendered paintings.
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'The Architect's Home in the Ravine' (1991) sold for $12 million at a London auction in 2013
Peter Doig's painting, 'The Architect's Home in the Ravine', sold for $12 million at a London auction in 2013. This was not the first time the painting had been sold, however; it was previously sold in 2012 for the same amount. The painting was created in 1991 and is considered a classic early work by the artist. It depicts the home of architect Eberhard Zeidler in the wealthy Toronto suburb of Rosedale.
Doig explained his process behind the painting:
> Instead of painting the façade of a building and then shrouding it in trees, I would pick the architecture through the foliage, so that the picture would push itself up to your eye.
The painting is also said to be inspired by a visit Doig made to the Unité d'Habitation, a housing project constructed by Le Corbusier in France. The view of the modernist building from the surrounding forest left an impression on Doig, and this influence can be seen in 'The Architect's Home in the Ravine'.
'The Architect's Home in the Ravine' is considered one of Doig's greatest works and has contributed to his reputation as one of the most renowned living figurative painters. His works are known for their evocative compositions, ranging from jungles to snow-covered mountains. Doig's paintings often draw inspiration from his childhood in Canada, and he is known for his use of photographs and postcards as references for his artwork.
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'Night Playground' (1997-98) sold for $5 million at a Christie's auction in London in 2009
Peter Doig is a renowned Scottish painter known for his evocative compositions that range from jungles to snow-covered mountains. His work is often inspired by photographs, newspaper clippings, movie scenes, record album covers, and the works of earlier artists like Edvard Munch.
One of his notable paintings, "Night Playground," created between 1997 and 1998, sold for $5 million at a Christie's auction in London in 2009. This particular painting showcases Doig's interest in playgrounds as artistic subjects, challenging the notion that playgrounds need to be expensive and conventional.
Doig's paintings have achieved significant commercial success, with his works selling for millions of dollars. In 2007, his painting "White Canoe" sold at Sotheby's for $11.3 million, setting an auction record for a living European artist at the time. Doig's large paintings can fetch seven-figure sums on the primary market and even higher prices at auction.
However, Doig has expressed discomfort with the "mindless inflation" of art prices, noting that he receives only a fraction of the resale profits due to the opaque nature of the art trade. He has advocated for better protection for young artists against "crazy prices" on the secondary market.
The success of Doig's paintings has also led to legal disputes. In one instance, Doig had to prove in court that he was not the author of a desert-landscape painting signed "1976 Pete Doige." The actual artist was revealed to be an unnamed individual who had taken art classes while incarcerated in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
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Doig's paintings achieve high prices due to the secondary market, from which he barely profits
Peter Doig is one of the most important painters of his generation. His paintings, which often depict evocative landscapes and dreamlike subjects, have made him one of the most desirable contemporary artists in the art market.
The secondary market involves collectors and galleries engaging in private sales, often without the artist's knowledge or involvement. Doig has criticised the lack of transparency in the art market, particularly the secondary market, where his works are sold for "crazy prices". He believes that it is the collectors who are profiting from the resale of his paintings, and he has no idea who they are due to the opacity of the art trade.
The Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) states that artists are entitled to payment when their work is resold for £1,000 or more through a gallery, auction house, or art dealer. However, the maximum royalty payout for works sold for £2 million or more is only £12,500. Doig has expressed frustration with the secrecy surrounding sales of his artwork, stating that he often does not know who owns a particular piece after it has been sold.
Doig's dealers have also contributed to the scarcity of his work on the primary market, keeping his paintings out of art fairs and selling only to carefully selected buyers. This strategy has backfired, as the more challenging it becomes to access Doig's work on the primary market, the more desirable it becomes on the secondary market.
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Frequently asked questions
White Canoe, which sold for $11.3 million.
$25.9 million.
The Architect's Home in the Ravine.
