Paintings by two 19th-century Romanian artists were among the top sellers at the Bonhams 19th Century European Paintings sale organized in New York on May 3.

One of them, the Danube Guard (Santinela) by Nicolae Grigorescu (1838-1907), sold for USD 100,000, more than three times the estimated price of USD 20,000 – 30,000.

As an artist-reporter, Grigorescu accompanied Romanian troops fighting alongside the Russians in the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-78 and based his painting Danube Guard on sketches he made along the way.

However, this is not the most expensive painting by Grigorescu sold abroad. In 2011, another one of his works was auctioned for USD 104,000 in New York. Meanwhile, the highest price for a Grigorescu in Romania was achieved in December 2016, some EUR 320,000 (USD 350,000)

Meanwhile, A portrait of a Young Girl (Cap de Copil) by Romanian Nicolae Tonitza (1886-1940) also exceeded its estimate of USD 20,000-30,000, and sold for USD 56,250.

Bonhams Director of European Paintings Madalina Lazen said: “It was a great pleasure to offer pictures by such distinguished artists. Works by Romanian painters appear rarely at auction outside Europe, but the high prices achieved show they have strong appeal wherever they are sold.”

Bonhams’ next 19th Century European Paintings sales will take place in London on September 27, and in New York on November 1.

Two paintings by Romanian Adrian Ghenie go on sale in New York this May

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com