International Quality Trumps All - 2009 turns out to be the second most successful year to-date: Dorotheum enjoys healthy growth.

Based on its consistently international strategy, Dorotheum – German-speaking Europe's leading auction house – was able to achieve the second best result in the firm's history, seemingly unaffected by prevailing trends.

The steady increase in Dorotheum's international activities – most recently the opening of a representation in Rome in spring 2009 – proved to be the right course: the auction turn-over for 2009 exceeds the previous year's figure. Demand for fine works by renowned artists continues to be strong.

In general, the international approach practised by Dorotheum with regard to its auction range and clientele paid ample dividends. Modern and contemporary art, 19th century painting, and old masters enjoyed a particularly favourable rate of growth.

Does Dorotheum remain entirely untouched by the prevailing crisis? Martin Böhm, managing director, is certain that: „Given different conditions, our growth rates would be even more pronounced“.

For modern and contemporary art, the major Dorotheum auction weeks brought excellent results featuring important works by Georg Baselitz – Pullover oben , sold for 225.390 € - Giorgio de Chirico, or Giorgio Morandi, whose „Paesaggio“ („Landscape“) saw bids rise to an outstanding 409.800 Euro. In the November auction, bidding for a landscape by Chaime Soutine did not stop until it had reached 340.800 Euro. Another handsome result was brought in by one of Julian Schnabel's characteristic Plate Paintings which was sold for 214.300 Euro.
High quality by well-known artists was also what attracted collectors of Austrian contemporary art to works by Maria Lassnig, Arnulf Rainer or Werner Berg. The 55.200 Euro paid for Erwin Wurm's „Fat Car“ established a new auction sale record for this artist.

In the 19th century painting category, 2009 was a year of important Waldmüller and Gauermann paintings, many of them consigned to Dorotheum from a major collection. Never before did Dorotheum have so many top-quality works by these two 'poster children' of Austrian Biedermeier painting as part of its auction selection. Together, they managed to lift 19th century painting, already in ascendance, to an entirely new level of success. Pride of place went to a museum quality painting by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. Children decorating a conscript's hat which far exceeded expectations at 490.300 Euro.

Old Master paintings kept going strong with a special star appearance by Antonio Joli's View of St Peter's and St Peter's Square in Rome, perfectly timed to coincide with the opening of the new Dorotheum representation in the splendid Palazzo Colonna in the heart of that city. Martin Böhm reasons that "Stepping up our contacts with Italy has certainly proved worthwhile. Italy was highly involved, both in the rôle of buyer and seller".

Historical silver shone more brightly than ever this year. Auctions were frequented not just by traditional European collectors, but also by interested parties from China, Russia, and Turkey. The double usefulness of silverware, as an investment as well as in everyday employ, has apparently guaranteed this category a record year.

Buyers' interest also focussed on historical scientific instruments and globes, on autographs, glass and porcelain, as well as on art nouveau. Jewellery enjoyed particular success with larger stones that also appealed as an investment. Pride of place in the furniture category, which had a very good year indeed, went to two splendid, two meter tall Biedermeier candleholders by Josef Danhauser, which sold for 116.200 Euro. Finally, the ancient coin category was likewise characterised by great demand and high appreciation.

Already in its 15th year at Dorotheum, design brought in similarly excellent results with classics such as a table by Jean Prouve becoming the centre of attention and attracting buyers from all over the world. Contemporary classics like Zaha Hadid and Ron Arad continue to achieve top prices at Dorotheum auctions: Zaha Hadid's daringly curvaceous „Moraine“ couch of 2000 was sold to a Rumanian bidder for 46.660 Euro while Ron Arad's steel „Victoria and Albert Chair“ shared its successful sale at 61.300 Euro with the prototype for the „Smartie Ceiling Light“, sold for 27.140 Euro.