Illustrated artists' works soared in Sotheby's Impressionist & Modern Art Day Sale in New York

KOLKATA: A group of nearly 100 illustrated artists' letters, gorgeous small-scale pictures, works on paper and more from the Collection of Alex & Elisabeth Lewyt soared in Sotheby's Impressionist & Modern Art Day Sale in New York on May 8, lifting the total to an impressive $58.2 million, one of the highest sums that Sotheby's has ever achieved for this sale.

Works from the Lewyt Collection reached $15.6 million, above an overall high estimate of $8.8 million. Highlights included Edouard Manet's Trois Prunes from 1880, which achieved $1,265,000, more than five times its high estimate of $250,000, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Petite Baigneuse, which fetched $785,000 to triple its high estimate of $250,000.

Renoir's Route a Berneval realised $1,906,000, also over its high estimate of $1.5 million.