María Berrío’s mixed-media masterpiece "La Cena" (2012) is returning to the auction block at Christie’s post-war and contemporary day sale on May 17. The work, which draws inspiration from Da Vinci’s "The Last Supper" and features Berrío’s signature intricate collage style, is being sold by New York collector Dow Kim. Kim acquired the piece just two years ago for $1.56 million, significantly exceeding its initial estimate.
This sale serves as a critical litmus test for Berrío’s market, which saw a meteoric rise in 2021 but has recently shown signs of volatility. With several of the artist's works failing to meet estimates or going unsold in the past year, collectors and analysts are watching closely to see if "La Cena" can maintain its high valuation or if the artist's secondary market is undergoing a cooling period.