World’s first auction of Iraqi modernist art sets new record

World’s first auction for Iraqi modern art in London has a new record, after it unexpectedly made a total of $1.9 mln, London-based Art Daily reported Wednesday.

The new record was the highest for any group of Iraqi paintings offered in any auction.

“This is an important moment in the history of Iraqi art,” Nima Sagharchi, Head of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art at Bonhams, said.

She added: “The auction brought together some of most significant works of Iraqi art from the past century and the response of collectors has shown that the international market now recognizes the value and significance of art from Iraq.”

The highlight was Cubist Cockerel (1955) by Shakir Hassan al-Said (1925-2004), which sold for $291,888 against an estimate of at least $37,52.

Al-Said and his teacher, Jewad Selim, (1919-1961), formed “The Baghdad Group of Modern Art;” the first modern art movement in Iraq in 1951.

Selim’s portrait of the celebrated Iraqi poet and academic, Lamea Abbas Amara, was estimated at least $90,057 but sold for $264,918, settling a new world record as well.

Other works setting new records were an untitled painting by Ismael Fattah which sold for $219,893 and View of Ashra by Abdul Kadir Al Rassam which made $147,863.