2003
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Freud UK II British Royals Furniture Lalanne Jewels Pink diamond
See also : Freud UK II British Royals Furniture Lalanne Jewels Pink diamond
2003 The Pink Star
2013 recorded for CHF 76M by Sotheby's, UNPAID
2017 SOLD for HK$ 550M by Sotheby's
The Pink Star is unquestionably and by far the greatest polished diamond that ever hit the auction market. It should have fetched CHF 76M including premium at Sotheby's on November 13, 2013 but the buyer was unable to pay and its sale was cancelled.
Its come back was eagerly awaited by all the fans of highest jewelry and of auction history. It was sold for HK $ 550M by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 4, 2017, lot 1801.
Its subtle color, Fancy Vivid Pink, is the best graded among diamond colors. Internally Flawless means a perfect clarity. Its weight, 59.60 carats, is the highest recorded for finished flawless diamonds of that color. Its oval shape and its polish are the perfect result of two years of work executed by Steinmetz Diamonds.
It comes from a rough gem of 142.5 carats unearthed in 1999 by De Beers somewhere in Africa, which is currently the best location for new fabulous diamonds. Its mixed cut had required more than 50 subsequent models from epoxy casts. It was unveiled to the public in 2003.
It exceeds in all its features the Graff Pink, sold for CHF 45.4M by Sotheby's in 2010, which had 24.78 carats, a VVS2 clarity and a fancy intense pink color slightly lower in theory than the fancy vivid but indeed highly striking in this specimen.
Please watch the videos shared by Sotheby's : the 2013 pre sale video and the short video introducing the next auction :
Its come back was eagerly awaited by all the fans of highest jewelry and of auction history. It was sold for HK $ 550M by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 4, 2017, lot 1801.
Its subtle color, Fancy Vivid Pink, is the best graded among diamond colors. Internally Flawless means a perfect clarity. Its weight, 59.60 carats, is the highest recorded for finished flawless diamonds of that color. Its oval shape and its polish are the perfect result of two years of work executed by Steinmetz Diamonds.
It comes from a rough gem of 142.5 carats unearthed in 1999 by De Beers somewhere in Africa, which is currently the best location for new fabulous diamonds. Its mixed cut had required more than 50 subsequent models from epoxy casts. It was unveiled to the public in 2003.
It exceeds in all its features the Graff Pink, sold for CHF 45.4M by Sotheby's in 2010, which had 24.78 carats, a VVS2 clarity and a fancy intense pink color slightly lower in theory than the fancy vivid but indeed highly striking in this specimen.
Please watch the videos shared by Sotheby's : the 2013 pre sale video and the short video introducing the next auction :
Sotheby’s Brings ‘Pink Star’ Diamond to Hong Kong https://t.co/D5Lo7D6NIX pic.twitter.com/yk5ph7cUhn
— Art Market Monitor (@artmarket) March 20, 2017
WATCH: World's most valuable cut diamond, the 59.60-carat "Pink Star," could fetch a record $60 million at auction: https://t.co/JsYfyHq5H8 pic.twitter.com/mLNLyhUhBY
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 20, 2017
FREUD
1
2002-2003 Portrait on a White Cover
2018 SOLD for £ 22.5M by Sotheby's
Since the death of Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud was the most outstanding living British artist. This role seems difficult to play. For several years he relentlessly uses the permanent access to the National Gallery granted to him by its management to re-examine ancient art.
In 2002 the Tate Gallery organizes a major retrospective displayed in nine rooms according to the chronology of his art. The conclusion of this journey is Freud's statement on the nude. He considers clothes like a façade that hides instincts and desires. He wants to see his models as physically comfortable as animals.
The links are also close with the Wallace Collection which wishes to organize an exhibition dedicated to Lucian Freud's recent works. This museum has one of the most beautiful female nudes by Titian, in Perseus and Andromeda. The nudes by Freud will have to be at a comparable level. He is looking for his Andromeda.
He finds Sophie who works for Tate Publishing. She is tall and slim with long legs. Titian's Andromeda is standing with one arm raised for anchoring to the rock. Freud knows that his reclining nudes are typical in his art. He puts Sophie on the bed with a raised arm, in full nudity.
Portrait on a white cover, oil on canvas 117 x 143 cm, is painted by Freud in 2002-2003 and will be exhibited at the Wallace Collection in May 2004. This painting was sold for £ 22.5M by Sotheby's on June 26, 2018, lot 6. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
With family and friends the old artist still knew how to maintain a naked person in confidence, specially through his famous chatter. Julie and Martin painted in 2001 is a good example, sold for $ 17M including premium by Christie's on November 12, 2014. With Sophie, chosen by Freud for her Andromeda body, it does not go as well. The sleeping nude of the Portrait on a white cover has clenched fingers in both hands and the artist obsessed with realism did not make them flexible.
In 2002 the Tate Gallery organizes a major retrospective displayed in nine rooms according to the chronology of his art. The conclusion of this journey is Freud's statement on the nude. He considers clothes like a façade that hides instincts and desires. He wants to see his models as physically comfortable as animals.
The links are also close with the Wallace Collection which wishes to organize an exhibition dedicated to Lucian Freud's recent works. This museum has one of the most beautiful female nudes by Titian, in Perseus and Andromeda. The nudes by Freud will have to be at a comparable level. He is looking for his Andromeda.
He finds Sophie who works for Tate Publishing. She is tall and slim with long legs. Titian's Andromeda is standing with one arm raised for anchoring to the rock. Freud knows that his reclining nudes are typical in his art. He puts Sophie on the bed with a raised arm, in full nudity.
Portrait on a white cover, oil on canvas 117 x 143 cm, is painted by Freud in 2002-2003 and will be exhibited at the Wallace Collection in May 2004. This painting was sold for £ 22.5M by Sotheby's on June 26, 2018, lot 6. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
With family and friends the old artist still knew how to maintain a naked person in confidence, specially through his famous chatter. Julie and Martin painted in 2001 is a good example, sold for $ 17M including premium by Christie's on November 12, 2014. With Sophie, chosen by Freud for her Andromeda body, it does not go as well. The sleeping nude of the Portrait on a white cover has clenched fingers in both hands and the artist obsessed with realism did not make them flexible.
2
2003-2004 The Brigadier
2015 SOLD for $ 35M by Christie's
Before he retired in 1994, the figure of Andrew Parker Bowles often appeared in news photos but he remained anonymous despite his imposing posture. Colonel commanding the Household Cavalry before his promotion to the honorary rank of Brigadier, he assured the bodyguard to Queen Elizabeth II.
This aristocrat had previously shared the royal children's passion for horses and polo. The Prince of Wales will much later marry Camilla newly divorced from the Brigadier. The hero attended the wedding without resentment.
Lucian Freud was fond of horses, too, and a longtime friend of Andrew Parker Bowles. He painted his portrait in 2003-2004. During 18 months at a rate of three times a week and four hours per session, the Brigadier came to sit in the artist's studio.
Lucian's process is unique in the history of portrait painting. He rushed to the face of his model to inspect a tiny detail that provoked an equally abrupt return to save it on the canvas. Then he saturated his guest in an endless chatter before being ready to proceed with another detail. Lucian was very witty, which was quite necessary to maintain the patience of his models.
The obsession of the artist was to create lifelike works at the opposite of the dryness of a photograph. His method totally different from Bacon's led also to a strong emotion but Lucian managed to keep the realistic features of his characters. The Brigadier is still admiring today his portrait by Freud, better than life even in the glare of the medals.
The officer is not Sue Tilley. Lucian had not imposed an acrobatic attitude to this dignified sexagenarian who was indeed required to take the same position again at each new session. The result looks like a classic military portrait excepted that it is extraordinary in its psychological rendering.
This oil on canvas 224 x 138 cm was sold for $ 35M by Christie's on November 10, 2015, lot 31 B. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This aristocrat had previously shared the royal children's passion for horses and polo. The Prince of Wales will much later marry Camilla newly divorced from the Brigadier. The hero attended the wedding without resentment.
Lucian Freud was fond of horses, too, and a longtime friend of Andrew Parker Bowles. He painted his portrait in 2003-2004. During 18 months at a rate of three times a week and four hours per session, the Brigadier came to sit in the artist's studio.
Lucian's process is unique in the history of portrait painting. He rushed to the face of his model to inspect a tiny detail that provoked an equally abrupt return to save it on the canvas. Then he saturated his guest in an endless chatter before being ready to proceed with another detail. Lucian was very witty, which was quite necessary to maintain the patience of his models.
The obsession of the artist was to create lifelike works at the opposite of the dryness of a photograph. His method totally different from Bacon's led also to a strong emotion but Lucian managed to keep the realistic features of his characters. The Brigadier is still admiring today his portrait by Freud, better than life even in the glare of the medals.
The officer is not Sue Tilley. Lucian had not imposed an acrobatic attitude to this dignified sexagenarian who was indeed required to take the same position again at each new session. The result looks like a classic military portrait excepted that it is extraordinary in its psychological rendering.
This oil on canvas 224 x 138 cm was sold for $ 35M by Christie's on November 10, 2015, lot 31 B. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
2003 Ferrari F2003 GA
2022 SOLD for CHF 14.6M by RM Sotheby's
In 2003 Ferrari begins the Formula 1 season with the F2002, replaced from the fifth Grand Prix by the F2003 GA. The 2003 had a longer wheelbase to improve the aerodynamics. GA reads as a tribute to the late Gianni Agnelli, reminding that Ferrari was then a company of the Fiat group.
After the 16th and last Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher is the world drivers's champion for the sixth time, surpassing Fangio's record of five and including four consecutive seasons as Fangio had done.
In that highly disputed season against McLaren, Schumacher had one win with an F2002 and five wins plus two podiums with only one F2003 GA chassis while he used another chassis in three mid season Grand Prix with no win.
This highly successful F2003 still in full running order was sold for CHF 14.6M from a lower esimate of CHF 7.5M by Sotheby's in association with RM Sotheby's in a single lot auction on November 9, 2022. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's, in which the car is narrated and driven by Michael Schumacher's son Mick.
A total of six F2003 GA had been built.
After the 16th and last Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher is the world drivers's champion for the sixth time, surpassing Fangio's record of five and including four consecutive seasons as Fangio had done.
In that highly disputed season against McLaren, Schumacher had one win with an F2002 and five wins plus two podiums with only one F2003 GA chassis while he used another chassis in three mid season Grand Prix with no win.
This highly successful F2003 still in full running order was sold for CHF 14.6M from a lower esimate of CHF 7.5M by Sotheby's in association with RM Sotheby's in a single lot auction on November 9, 2022. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's, in which the car is narrated and driven by Michael Schumacher's son Mick.
A total of six F2003 GA had been built.
2003 View from the Terrace by Hockney
2023 SOLD for $ 7.2M by Sotheby's
Watercolor is a wonderful technique for expressing the colors. David Hockney tries it in 2002 in portrait and still life, and in landscapes during a trip in Norway and Iceland.
He quoted by the way an old Chinese tradition that hand, eye and heart are all necessary to achieve a good picture. The fluid gesture to apply watercolor is indeed in the opposite of the oil painting.
California is a place of vivid colors, both in the lush vegetation and in the clothing of the people. Back in 2003 in his beloved Hollywood Hills home after a long stay in London, David had not lost his enthusiasm of nearly four decades for the Californian colors.
View from the Terrace features his own lush garden beyond a row of potted plants on the balcony bar, omitting the rule of the single perspective and the three dimensionality. The opus III in that title is a watercolor on paper in eight sheets 92 x 243 cm overall. It was sold for $ 7.2M from a lower estimate of $ 4M by Sotheby's on November 16, 2023, lot 119.
He quoted by the way an old Chinese tradition that hand, eye and heart are all necessary to achieve a good picture. The fluid gesture to apply watercolor is indeed in the opposite of the oil painting.
California is a place of vivid colors, both in the lush vegetation and in the clothing of the people. Back in 2003 in his beloved Hollywood Hills home after a long stay in London, David had not lost his enthusiasm of nearly four decades for the Californian colors.
View from the Terrace features his own lush garden beyond a row of potted plants on the balcony bar, omitting the rule of the single perspective and the three dimensionality. The opus III in that title is a watercolor on paper in eight sheets 92 x 243 cm overall. It was sold for $ 7.2M from a lower estimate of $ 4M by Sotheby's on November 16, 2023, lot 119.
2003 Butterfly by Grotjahn
2017 SOLD for £ 4M by Sotheby's
In the follow of the Op art, Mark Grotjahn executes abstract paintings designed around two vanishing points spread over a central vertical. The radiating lines define triangles that are filled in several monochrome shades of a basic color. The double perspective brings the illusion of butterflies with open wings.
A White Butterfly, oil on linen 152 x 127 cm painted in 2003, was sold for £ 4M from a lower estimate of £ 3M by Sotheby's on June 28, 2017, lot 25.
A yellow butterfly with an orange signature mark, oil on linen of same size executed in 2004, was sold for £ 3.7M by Sotheby's on October 5, 2018, lot 15.
A two-color yellow-white butterfly, oil on linen 170 x 127 cm executed in 2005, was sold for HK $ 26.6M by Sotheby's on April 1, 2019, lot 1139.
A red butterfly with a yellow signature mark, oil on canvas 185 x 138 cm executed in 2008, was sold for $ 4.2M by Christie's on November 14, 2012, lot 49.
A White Butterfly, oil on linen 152 x 127 cm painted in 2003, was sold for £ 4M from a lower estimate of £ 3M by Sotheby's on June 28, 2017, lot 25.
A yellow butterfly with an orange signature mark, oil on linen of same size executed in 2004, was sold for £ 3.7M by Sotheby's on October 5, 2018, lot 15.
A two-color yellow-white butterfly, oil on linen 170 x 127 cm executed in 2005, was sold for HK $ 26.6M by Sotheby's on April 1, 2019, lot 1139.
A red butterfly with a yellow signature mark, oil on canvas 185 x 138 cm executed in 2008, was sold for $ 4.2M by Christie's on November 14, 2012, lot 49.
2003 Agnes Martin
2017 SOLD for $ 4.7M by Christie's
Agnes Martin never got rid of her creative meditation. Far away from the minimalists, she felt close to the abstract expressionism of Rothko, Newman and her late mentor Ad Reinhardt. She manages to reach the deep meaning of nature and light through the merging of rich pale colors, without taking any care to the lines of a landscape. Her personal approach to Zen had cancelled the objects.
An Untitled acrylic and graphite on canvas 154 x 154 cm painted in 2003 was sold for $ 4.7M by Christie's on November 15, 2017, lot 14 B. This opus is made of parallel horizontal bands of pale yellow, clear blue of the sky and rocky red of the desert.
Aged 91 at that time, she is a rare example of an artist who had been able to make the very long journey from mental disorder to a joyfully shared contemplative serenity.
An Untitled acrylic and graphite on canvas 154 x 154 cm painted in 2003 was sold for $ 4.7M by Christie's on November 15, 2017, lot 14 B. This opus is made of parallel horizontal bands of pale yellow, clear blue of the sky and rocky red of the desert.
Aged 91 at that time, she is a rare example of an artist who had been able to make the very long journey from mental disorder to a joyfully shared contemplative serenity.
2003 Grand Rhinocrétaire by Lalanne
2025 SOLD for $ 16.4M by Sotheby's
Les Lalanne accumulate new subjects without obsoleting the old themes. On 23 and 24 October, 2019, Sotheby's sold the works that they were keeping in their home and studio near Fontainebleau. The lot 13 , sold for € 5.4M, was a Rhinocrétaire 2.55 m long in welded metal. Opening the beast unfolds the desk. This unique piece made in 1991 was certainly executed for the personal use of the artist.
The Grand Rhinocrétaire II, also identified as Grand Rhinocéros II, was designed in 2002. The 1/8 in gold patinated bronze, brass and leather from the 2003 edition, 130 x 260 x 61 cm, was sold for $ 16.4M from a lower estimate of $ 3M by Sotheby's on June 11, 2025, lot 105.
In the same materials as the example above, the 7/8 from the 2017 posthumous edition by Bocquel, 145 x 250 x 61 cm, was sold for € 5.5M by Sotheby's on May 24, 2022, lot 140.
The Grand Rhinocrétaire II, also identified as Grand Rhinocéros II, was designed in 2002. The 1/8 in gold patinated bronze, brass and leather from the 2003 edition, 130 x 260 x 61 cm, was sold for $ 16.4M from a lower estimate of $ 3M by Sotheby's on June 11, 2025, lot 105.
In the same materials as the example above, the 7/8 from the 2017 posthumous edition by Bocquel, 145 x 250 x 61 cm, was sold for € 5.5M by Sotheby's on May 24, 2022, lot 140.
2003 Ferrari Enzo
Intro
Released in 1993, the Ferrari F50 did not reach the success of its predecessor the F40. The scheduled figure of 349 cars will not be increased. On March 18, 2022, Artcurial sold an F50 from 1996 for € 4.2M, lot 162.
Ten years later the Enzo starts better. The marketing was similar, with 349 cars sold before the production to customers selected by the brand, but the requests from non-selected users made it increase to 399. The very expensive sale ticket was about $ 650,000.
Its designation is a tribute to the late founder of the brand at a time when Ferrari had a spectacular success in Formula 1 with Michael Schumacher as the lead driver.
Taking benefit of some Formula One lightweight technologies, the Enzo could reach 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds and 200 km/h in 9.5 seconds, plus a top speed at 350 km/h. Some fans of previous models objected against its rude shape designed by the Pininfarina workshop for improving the aerodynamics and the driving experience.
Its 6 liter engine is a come back to a naturally aspirated Ferrari V-12, after the turbocharged V-8 of the 288 GTO and F40 and the 65° motor of the F50.
The very first Enzo, made in 2002 with the scocca n.1, had been consigned by the former Ferrari works driver and world champion Fernando Alonso at Monaco Car Auctions on June 8, 2023 with 4,800 km from new. Please watch the video shared by Car Review. It passed in the auction room. A post sale transaction at € 5.4M has been reported by Turbo one week later.
Ten years later the Enzo starts better. The marketing was similar, with 349 cars sold before the production to customers selected by the brand, but the requests from non-selected users made it increase to 399. The very expensive sale ticket was about $ 650,000.
Its designation is a tribute to the late founder of the brand at a time when Ferrari had a spectacular success in Formula 1 with Michael Schumacher as the lead driver.
Taking benefit of some Formula One lightweight technologies, the Enzo could reach 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds and 200 km/h in 9.5 seconds, plus a top speed at 350 km/h. Some fans of previous models objected against its rude shape designed by the Pininfarina workshop for improving the aerodynamics and the driving experience.
Its 6 liter engine is a come back to a naturally aspirated Ferrari V-12, after the turbocharged V-8 of the 288 GTO and F40 and the 65° motor of the F50.
The very first Enzo, made in 2002 with the scocca n.1, had been consigned by the former Ferrari works driver and world champion Fernando Alonso at Monaco Car Auctions on June 8, 2023 with 4,800 km from new. Please watch the video shared by Car Review. It passed in the auction room. A post sale transaction at € 5.4M has been reported by Turbo one week later.
1
2024 SOLD for $ 4.3M by RM Sotheby's
The Dare To Dream collection, dispersed by RM Sotheby's on June 1, 2024, included an example of all the Ferrari Big Five models.
The results were :
$ 3.9M for the 1985 288 GTO, lot 308.
$ 3.5M for the 1990 F40, lot 320.
$ 4.2M for the 1996 F50, lot 332.
$ 4.3M for the 2003 Enzo, lot 357.
$ 3.7M for the 2015 LaFerrari, lot 375.
That Enzo had been the first example to reach North America, of a final total of 118 US market units. It debuted at the 2003 Cavallino Classic at Palm Beach. It was finished in Rosso Corsa and the cabin was fully trimmed with Pelle Nero upholstery. Its entire front end was coated in a protective film in 2023. It was 8,600 km from new at the time of the auction.
The results were :
$ 3.9M for the 1985 288 GTO, lot 308.
$ 3.5M for the 1990 F40, lot 320.
$ 4.2M for the 1996 F50, lot 332.
$ 4.3M for the 2003 Enzo, lot 357.
$ 3.7M for the 2015 LaFerrari, lot 375.
That Enzo had been the first example to reach North America, of a final total of 118 US market units. It debuted at the 2003 Cavallino Classic at Palm Beach. It was finished in Rosso Corsa and the cabin was fully trimmed with Pelle Nero upholstery. Its entire front end was coated in a protective film in 2023. It was 8,600 km from new at the time of the auction.
2
2023 SOLD for € 4.05M by RM Sotheby's
A 2003 Enzo with about 17,500 km from new was sold for € 4.05M by RM Sotheby's on February 1, 2023, lot 146. It has from new a rare color combination of nero over pelle nero interior.
An Enzo completed in November 2003 as a US specification example was sold for $ 4.1M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2023, lot 260. It is finished in the rosso corsa over a pelle rossa interior. It is 4,300 km from new and keeps its manuals, warranty book, service records, tools, tire inflator and battery charger.
An Enzo completed in October 2003 was sold for CHF 3.1M by Bonhams on September 29, 2019, lot 18. 21 km from new with Equatorial Guinea registration papers, it belonged to the collection of supercars seized from vice-president Obiang.
An Enzo was sold for $ 3.36M by RM Sotheby's on August 14, 2021, lot 316. Its rare nero finish had long been covered by a protective film. Originally owned by casino mogul Steve Wynn, it had been used in a paid admission display at Las Vegas.
An Enzo 560 miles from new was sold for $ 3.3M by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015, lot 219. It had shortly belonged to Floyd Mayweather.
An Enzo presented in Rosso Corsa livery was sold for € 2.85M by Artcurial on March 18, 2022, lot 163. Despite its 4,760 km from new, this car had bee preserved in an exceptional condition.
An Enzo completed in November 2003 as a US specification example was sold for $ 4.1M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2023, lot 260. It is finished in the rosso corsa over a pelle rossa interior. It is 4,300 km from new and keeps its manuals, warranty book, service records, tools, tire inflator and battery charger.
An Enzo completed in October 2003 was sold for CHF 3.1M by Bonhams on September 29, 2019, lot 18. 21 km from new with Equatorial Guinea registration papers, it belonged to the collection of supercars seized from vice-president Obiang.
An Enzo was sold for $ 3.36M by RM Sotheby's on August 14, 2021, lot 316. Its rare nero finish had long been covered by a protective film. Originally owned by casino mogul Steve Wynn, it had been used in a paid admission display at Las Vegas.
An Enzo 560 miles from new was sold for $ 3.3M by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015, lot 219. It had shortly belonged to Floyd Mayweather.
An Enzo presented in Rosso Corsa livery was sold for € 2.85M by Artcurial on March 18, 2022, lot 163. Despite its 4,760 km from new, this car had bee preserved in an exceptional condition.
