Art

Giacometti’s Painted Bust to Star at Sotheby’s

Alberto Giacometti’s 1955 bronze bust Grande tête mince leads Sotheby’s May sale with a $70M+ estimate, reflecting the sculptor’s enduring market appeal.

Por: Angela Leon Cervera April 22, 2025

This spring, the art world turns its eyes to Sotheby’s New York, where one of the most anticipated lots of the season will cross the auction block: Grande tête mince (Grande tête de Diego), a 1955 bronze bust by Alberto Giacometti, estimated at over $70 million.

Not only is this the highest-profile piece announced for the May auctions so far—it’s also a poetic tribute to Giacometti’s brother Diego, and a masterclass in the sculptor’s radical aesthetic.

The work, hand-painted by the artist himself, will lead the May 13 modern art evening sale at Sotheby’s, surpassing even the anticipated $50 million sale of a Piet Mondrian at Christie’s. In a season defined by cautious consignment and collector hesitancy, this lot brings new energy to a challenging market.

What Makes This Particular Bust So Exceptional?

Measuring 25 inches tall, Grande tête mince is more than a likeness—it’s a psychological portrait rendered in raw bronze. Diego Giacometti, Alberto’s muse and studio companion, is the subject of this deeply meditative work.

Simon Shaw, senior adviser at Sotheby’s, called it one of Giacometti’s “most formally radical and emotionally charged works,” noting its textured surface and profound presence.

This cast is the only known version with a richly hand-painted patina, setting it apart from the other five known casts. Its provenance only enhances its appeal: it comes from the estate of real estate magnate Sheldon Solow, now managed through the Soloviev Foundation.

Prior to Solow’s acquisition from Galerie Maeght in 1980, it was exhibited at the 1956 Venice Biennale and displayed for nearly two decades at the Fondation Maeght in France.

Giacometti’s Grande tête mince at Sotheby’s

When will the auction take place? On May 13, 2025, as part of Sotheby’s modern art evening sale in New York.
Can the public view the sculpture beforehand? Yes, it will be on display at Sotheby’s New York galleries from May 2 to May 13.
Who owned the sculpture before this sale? The bust comes from the estate of Sheldon Solow and is being offered through the Soloviev Foundation.
What is unique about this cast? It is the only known cast of the six made that features a richly painted surface by Giacometti himself.
How does this work rank in Giacometti's market history? It ranks among his most valuable, with previous versions selling for up to $53 million. This one is expected to exceed $70 million.

How Does the Market Value Giacometti's Work?

The market for Giacometti has been consistently strong. Another cast of Grande tête mince sold for $53 million at Christie’s in 2010, and a separate one achieved $50 million at Sotheby’s in 2013.

The upward shift in estimate this time reflects not only the rarity of this painted version, but the continued rise in Giacometti’s market stature.

Records bolster this trend: Pointing Man fetched $141.3 million in 2015, still the most expensive sculpture ever sold at auction, and Le Nez brought in $78.4 million more recently, despite becoming entangled in a high-profile legal dispute.

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What Else Is Behind the Soloviev Foundation's Art Strategy?

In addition to Giacometti’s bust, the Soloviev Foundation has pledged two other major works as loan collateral through Christie’s: Amedeo Modigliani’s Almaisa (1916) and Mark Rothko’s Untitled (Red, Orange, Red) (1967). According to private dealers, these works are together estimated at around $100 million.

Grande tête mince isn’t just a highlight of the spring auction season—it’s a landmark in the legacy of Alberto Giacometti. A fusion of psychological depth, formal experimentation, and historical resonance, the sculpture is poised to become one of the most important sales of 2025.

As market watchers hold their breath, this bust may well reshape the landscape for modern sculpture.