In a recent auction of la fotografia d’autore di Finarte, the Italian market showed remarkable solidity, with records for Franco Fontana and new international openings.
How did the auction of Finarte’s fine art photography conclude?
The sale dedicated to fine art photography organized by Finarte confirmed the excellent moment of the sector in Italy. The session closed with an impressive 95% sold by value, highlighting an extremely selective demand willing to reward works of proven quality, rarity, and strong market recognition.
Moreover, the overall performance brings Milan increasingly closer to the standards of major international markets. The results obtained in this auction can indeed be compared to those recorded in the major auction houses of London and New York, according to Finarte.
Why did Hiroshi Sugimoto lead the catalog?
The top lot of the evening was the Japanese master Hiroshi Sugimoto, featured with one of his famous seascapes. The work Caribbean Sea (from the series Seascapes, 1980) was sold for 40,640 euros, confirming itself as the most important lot of the session.
The result does not surprise industry insiders, given the artist’s museum stature, present in collections of institutions like the MoMA. However, it reiterates how Milan is now fully integrated into the global flows of photographic collecting, in dialogue with the main markets.
What does the Desirée Dolron case indicate?
Of particular analytical interest is the performance of Desirée Dolron. A youthful work from her series Xteriors (2002) reached 22,860 euros. It was the artist’s absolute debut in an Italian auction, a step that assumes a precise strategic value.
That said, Dolron’s success indicates that national collecting is expanding its horizons towards contemporary international authors, previously almost exclusively the domain of hubs like London or New York. This data should be read as confirmation of a growing sophistication of Italian demand.
How was the new record for Franco Fontana established?
Alongside the international core, historicized Italian photography played a decisive role. The most significant moment of the session was the new world record for Franco Fontana. Lot 18, Landscape from 1987, vintage cibachrome print from 1991, was sold for 20,320 euros.
This result redefines the position of the Modenese photographer on a value scale more consistent with his historical importance. Furthermore, it serves as a useful reference for future auction estimates and for the primary market of his landscape series, particularly sought after by collectors.
What was the trend for Luigi Ghirri and other Italians?
In the same direction is the excellent performance of Luigi Ghirri. The rare portfolio The Profile of Clouds (1987/1989) reached 15,240 euros, confirming stable demand for the “master of the gaze” and for his more articulated works in series or portfolio form.
Gianni Berengo Gardin also recorded a solid result: 15 lots sold out of 17 in the catalog, indicating a constant interest in his production. Additionally, the work of Paolo Ventura Confesso a mio fratello della mia felicità (2016) reached 16,510 euros, positioning itself in the mid-high range of the offer.
How did reportage and nature attract collectors?
The session also showcased the strength of narrative photography, between reportage and evocative images. All four lots by Steve McCurry were subject to competition among bidders, with a peak of 9,525 euros for Horse and Two Towers, shot in Afghanistan in 2002.
In this context, nature emerged as a central theme also through the work of Nick Brandt. His works, rarely present on the Italian secondary market, captivated collectors thanks to the combination of ecological commitment and strong formal construction. In particular, Elephant Exodus was sold for 5,715 euros.
What do Davide Battaglia’s words reveal about the market?
The considerations of Davide Battaglia, head of the department at Finarte, help contextualize the scope of the results. According to the department, the realizations of this sale are now comparable to those of major international auctions, both in terms of hammer prices and participation.
Moreover, the emerging picture is that of a sector that can no longer be considered a niche. Photography increasingly appears as a solid asset, capable of attracting a diverse audience, from expert collectors to those seeking a structured cultural investment. A dynamic also confirmed by market analyses published by institutions like Artprice and Art Basel.
Overall, the Finarte auction dedicated to fine art photography outlines a scenario in which Italy plays an increasingly significant role. Among records for Fontana, consolidation of historicized masters, and international bets like Sugimoto, Dolron, McCurry, and Brandt, Milan confirms its centrality in the dynamics of contemporary collecting.
Images: Lot 110_Hiroshi Sugimoto_Caribbean Sea from the series Seascapes 1980_Lot sold 40,640€
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
