Joan Miro's 1927 work Peinture (Etoile Bleue) has sold for more than £23.5 million in London, setting a new auction record for the Spanish painter.
An anonymous telephone bidder saw off three rivals at the Sotheby's sale.
The abstract work has tripled in price since it was last sold in 2007 and fetched the highest price reached at a London auction so far this year.
The previous auction record for a Miro was £16.8m, set when his 1925 work Painting-Poem sold in February.
Peinture (Etoile Bleue) - which translates as Painting (Blue Star) - hails from Miro's 'dream paintings' cycle and had been expected to fetch no more than £15m.
According to Sotheby's Helena Newman, the high figure reflected the current "unprecedented demand" for the best of 20th Century art.
The second highest price at Tuesday's event was fetched by Pablo Picasso's Homme Assis, which sold for £6.2m.
A Henry Moore sculpture, Mother and Child With Apple, was one of the night's other star performers, raising well above its pre-sale forecast of £3.7m.
The auction was the first in a busy week for fine art sales in London, which continues on Wednesday at Christie's.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Philippa turns her dream into reality - This is Gloucestershire
Fine furniture making student Philippa Moss always wanted to be a cabinet maker and now her dreams are becoming a reality.
Philippa, pictured, is thought to be one of the best trainee cabinet makers in the region after coming second in the cabinet making section of the South West heat of SkillBuild 2012, the UK's biggest construction skills competition. She is now laying the foundations for a bright future.
"When I was young I always want to be a carpenter and used to spend hours watching my grandad in his workshop. But as I got older and did my A-levels I just sort of forgot about it. It was only when I returned home and started to use the tools again that I rediscovered my love for the craft."
Despite her recent success, being a cabinet maker was not always on the cards for Philippa, and it was only at the age of 24 she finally decided to pursue her dreams.
After completing A-levels, Philippa continued in education progressing on to a degree in Geology at Portsmouth University and then on to a Masters degree in Geology and Archaeology at the University of Reading. She was all set move to Canada to undertake a PHD but the funding fell through and so, at the age of 24, she found herself returning to her home county of Gloucestershire.
Once at home, Philippa rediscovered her love for cabinet making. She began designing and creating a chicken house for her mum and her interest grew and grew. Philippa was introduced to a furniture maker in Nailsworth, who recommended the furniture making course at Gloucestershire College, and was inspired to develop a career in the industry. Impressed by the level of skill and detail taught at the college, Philippa enrolled on the two year course and began to learn skills including solid wood construction and marquetry.
Philippa gained part-time employment earlier this year as a cabinet maker at Roundhouse, a kitchen design company in Malvern. In her spare time she also designs and creates decking, outdoor furniture and fencing.
Mike Hyett, fine furniture lecturer at Gloucestershire College, said: "Throughout the duration of the course students develop their skills so at the end of the two years they can create bespoke fine furniture pieces. Philippa has been a dedicated student and made a fantastic start to her career."
The college is hosting its annual Fine Furniture Exhibition this month on Wednesday, June 27, 12noon to 9pm; Thursday, June 28 12noon to 9pm and Friday, June 29 10am to 5pm at Theatre, Gloucester Campus, Llanthony Road, Gloucester. Visitors will be able to view the furniture designed and created by Philippa and her fellow classmates. It is open to everyone.
Source: www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
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