A 37×59 cm landscape painting in watercolors of Rangárvellir, south Iceland, painted by Ásgrímur Jónsson in 1911, sold for ISK 8.9 million (EUR 98,500, USD 129,400) in an auction organized by Gallerí Fold in Reykjavík on Sunday.
According to Fréttabladid, it is one of the highest prices ever paid for a watercolor painting by Jónsson.
The auction room at Saga Hotel was full on Sunday and bids were made for various pieces of art by other Icelandic artists, like Gudmundur frá Middal, bishop Jón Helgason, Thorvaldur Skúlason and Thórarinn B. Thorláksson.
Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876-1958) mostly painted the Icelandic landscape and also Icelandic sagas and folk tales. His style was inspired by French impressionism.
According to Morgunbladid, a vast increase in sale of the artwork of the “old masters” can be expected in the next few months. The prices of the works are expected to rise as buyers are prepared to pay more now than what they have paid in the past.
Click here to read about a painting by Kjarval that sold for a record price last week.
