Core Insights - The auction held by Christie's Hong Kong on September 26 achieved a total sales amount of approximately 565 million HKD, with a remarkable 92% sell-through rate and total hammer prices exceeding the low estimates by 116% [1][4] Auction Highlights - The most competitive piece was Pablo Picasso's "Portrait of a Woman," which had a pre-auction estimate exceeding 100 million HKD. It started bidding at 70 million HKD and eventually sold for 167 million HKD, setting a new auction record for Picasso in Asia [2][4] - Another significant work was Zao Wou-Ki's "17.3.63," which represents the peak of his "wild cursive" period. It started at 55 million HKD and sold for 70 million HKD, totaling 85.2 million HKD with commissions [3][4] Other Notable Sales - Claude Monet's "Spring in Giverny" sold for 37.1 million HKD, while Yayoi Kusama's largest pumpkin composition in five years fetched 34.66 million HKD. Additionally, another Picasso piece sold for 32.22 million HKD [4] - The auction's success was attributed to effective pricing strategies and the presentation of fresh artworks, highlighting the strong demand for top-tier art pieces in the current market [4]

Core Viewpoint - Christie's will present Zao Wou-Ki's masterpiece "17.3.63" at auction for the first time, with an estimated value of HKD 70 million to 90 million, highlighting the artist's significant impact on the art market and attracting global collectors [4][5]. Group 1: Artwork Details - "17.3.63" is a significant work from Zao Wou-Ki's "wild cursive" period, characterized by its dominant red color and dynamic composition, showcasing the artist's peak creative energy [4]. - The painting was created in the early 1960s when Zao was gaining international recognition, and it was featured in his first retrospective exhibition in Germany in 1965 [4]. - Only 19 similar large-scale works in red were created during the 1960s, with only 8 remaining that have never been auctioned, making "17.3.63" particularly rare [4]. Group 2: Market Context - Christie's Asia Chairman, Cheng Shou-Kang, emphasized the significance of "17.3.63" as a classic work from a highly sought-after period, expected to attract intense interest from art collectors worldwide [5]. - The painting exemplifies Zao Wou-Ki's unique style that blends Eastern and Western aesthetics, featuring vigorous Chinese calligraphy strokes and vibrant Western colors [5]. - The upcoming auction is part of Christie's continued leadership in the 20th-century art market, showcasing museum-quality works [5]. Group 3: Exhibition Schedule - Public preview dates for the auction include Taipei (August 23-24), Singapore (August 30-31), Shanghai (September 4-5), Beijing (September 8-9), and Hong Kong (September 23-26) [6].