Cruz Herrera was well-known in the fifties for his Maghrebi genre scenes, reaching  his fame in the exotic exhibitions of African painters that triumphed in Madrid during those years. Now, largely due to the growing Marrocan and French markets, his works continue to be in demand. The work sold at Goya Auctions, a perfect example from his Orientalist period, started at a modest starting price of 5.000 euros and fetched 7.500 euros. This same year portraits of similar quality by the painter have sold for 6.000 and 15.000 euros in Cannes and Casablanca, repsectiveley.  

Onother work that dazzled bidders was the canvas of Duomo square in Milan attributed to the 19th century Italian school. According to the auction house it was a gift from the king Víctor Manuel II to the present owners. The fight between buyers on the telephone doubled its starting price, rising from 3.500 euros to the 7.500 euros it was auctioned off for. In the Old master category one must note the sale of Bachus, an anoymous 17th century Flemish painting with a tight and complex composition. It sold for 5.000 euros (starting in 3.000 euros)

The sale was also favorable for Pedro Bueno, whose Girl with a handkerchief was sold for its starting price of 1.300 euros. The work by the artist from Córdoba continues to slow but steady rise- since Fernando Durán sold in February three other works with prices in between 1.600 and 3.250 euros. It is also wise to persue future lots signed by Luciano Díaz Castilla, who, after solid sales in Ansorena and Segre, confirmed his positions as a solid investment. His canvas Peñalevanto was sold for its starting price of 1.200 euros. 

In spite of all this one can not hide the fact that more than half the paintings were unsold. Most surprising were the pair of panels by Juan Pablo Salinas y Teruel, which failed to find a buyer. They started at a modest price (7.000 euros each), but neither Tea with the Cardinal or Galant Scene seemed to have enough quality to attract bids. Nor did the two works by Menchu Gal: Marina (starting in 2.000 euros) or Portrait of a young man (starting in 4.500 euros) arouse bidders.

Among the old master lots that failed to sell was a Still Life with a mythological scene by the 17th century Flemish school, which the auction room attributed to a follower of Frans Snyders. Maybe its starting price of 12.000 euros, a little high, might have frightened buyers. Nor did the Final Judgement by Juan José Urmeneta (starting in 5.500 euros), Virgin with Child by the 16th century Spanish school (starting in 6.000 euros), Portrait of Pepa Quintana, daughter of Gonzalo Bilbao (starting in 4.000 euros) or Untitled by José Moñu (starting in 4.000 euros) manage to sell. Pablo Ortiz de Zárate.

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