By Carter B. Horsley

This evening auction of Latin American Art at Sotheby's November 6, 2005 is highlighted by good works by Fernando Botero (b. 1933), Matta (1911-2002), Joaquin Torres-Garcia (1874-1949), Rufino Tamayo (1899-1991), Candido Portinari (1903-1962) and Gunther Gerzso (1915-2001).

Lot 11 is a very good, large oil on canvas by Fernando Botero that is entitled "The Musicians." It was executed in 1979 and measures 72 1/4 by 81 1/4 inches. It has an estimate of $800,000 to $1,200,000. It sold for $1,528,000 including the buyer's premium as do all results mentioned in this article.

It was a successful sale with about 75 percent of the offered lots selling for more than $12 million, the highest such total for a Latin American auction at Sotheby's since 2000.

Records were set for Candido Portinari, Jesus Rafael Soto, Maria Martins, Agustin Cardenas, Francisco Manuel Oller, Alicia Penalba, Leon Ferrari and Los Carpinteros, an artistic cooperative.

Lot 44 is an excellent bronze sculpture by Fernando Botero entitled "Dancers." Executed in 2003, it is 46 inches high and is numbered 2/6. It has an estimate of $400,000 to $500,000. It sold for $609,600.

Lot 18 is an excellent 1939 painting by Matta. An oil on canvas, it measures 28 3/8 by 35 5/8 inches and has an estimate of $1,200,000 to $1,800,000. It sold for $1,360,000. It was property from MALBA-Coleccion Costantini Museo de Arte Latinamericano de Buenos Aires.

Lot 6 is a very strong abstraction by Joaquin Torres-Garcia that was executed in 1948, the year before he died. An oil on board that measures 21 by 19 inches, it has an estimate of $150,000 to $200,000. It sold for $216,000.

Another work by Torres-Garcia is Lot 15, "Constructivio en Colores," an oilon canvas that measures 30 1/2 by 23 inches. It is property of the MALBA-Coleccion Costantini Museo de Arte Latinamericano de Buenos Aires. It has an estimate of $250,000 to $300,000. It sold for $441,600.

Lot 9 is a strong work by Rufino Tamayo entitled "Atormentado (The Tormented)." An oil on canvas, it measures 40 by 30 inches and was executed in 1948. It has an estimate of $600,000 to $800,000. It failed to sell.

Lot 19 is a nice oil on canvas by Manuel Rendon (1894-1980) that is entitled "Tete aux Nuages." Executed in 1927, it measures 39 1/2 by 28 7/8 inches. It has an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. It failed to sell.

Lot 48 is a fine abstraction by Gunther Gerzso. Entitled "No. 7," it is an oil on canvas that measures 34 3/4 by 25 1/4 inches. Executed in 1958, it has an estimate of $90,000 to 120,000. It failed to sell.

Gerzso is also represented by one of his fine bronze sculptures, Lot 143, "Semblantes." It is 23 inches high and numbered 1/6. It has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for $32,400.

Lot 116 is a small but very good pyroxilin on masonite by David Alfaro Siqueiros, entitled "Volcan." Executed in 1955, it measures 15 1/2 by 11 7/8 inches. It has an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000. It sold for $78,000.

Lot 25 is a very handsome bronze sculpture by Agustin Cardenas (1927-2001). Executed in 1957, it is 89 inches high. It has an estimate of $50,000 to $60,000. It sold for $156,000.

Lot 12 is a very fine bronze sculpture by Alicia Penalba (1918-1982) that is entitled "Trilogie." It measures 75 1/2 inches high. It has an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000. It sold for $60,000.

Lot 22, "Study for Mimetismo," is a fine pencil on paper by Remedios Varo (1908-1963). Executed circa 1960, it mesaures 18 5/8 by 18 1/2 inches. It has an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000. It sold for $72,000.

Lot 30, "Balanco (Swing)," is a pleasant oil on panel by Candido Portinari. It was executed in 1959 and measures 66 1/8 by 40 inches. It has an estimate of $150,000 to $200,000. It sold for $940,000.

Lot 42, "Granada, Waterfront," is an excellent work by Armando Morales (b. 1927). An oil on canvas, it measures 32 by 40 inches. Executed in 1980, it has an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000. It sold for $114,000.

Lot 50, "Reticularea Cuadrada," is a fine brass, stainless steel and copper sculpture by Gego (Gertrudis Goldschmidt) (1912-1994). It measures 80 3/4 by 55 1/8 by 21 5/8 inches and was executed in 1971. It has an estimate of $125,000 to $175,000. It sold for $340,800.

Lot 52, "Seis Laminas Perforadas y Doradas," is a good work by Mathias Goeritz (1915-1990). It consists of 6 perforated golden tin sheets on wood and measures 8 by 13 inches. It was executed circa 1959-60. It has an estimate of $30,000 to $40,000. It sold for $90,000.

Lot 157 is an amusing and very good acrylic, pastel and fabric collage on canvas by Antonio Segui (b. 1934). Entitled "Ardoise," it measures 44 3/8 by 57 3/8 inches and was executed in 1988. It has an estimate of $20,000 to $25,000. It sold for $19,200.