León Ferrari Argentine, 1920-2013
96.5 x 71.1 x 17.8 cm
Further images
Ferrari carries with it a particularly revealing story about Robert Borlenghi and the early recognition of his work in the auction market. Borlenghi was the first to present one of his Ferrari boxes at auction, in connection with the Recoleta exhibition. The work's hammer price exceeded its estimate, an early indication of the strong interest surrounding the series.
After the sale, however, Borlenghi regretted letting the piece go. He asked to be notified whenever another Ferrari became available so that he could acquire one for himself. Eventually, another box came onto the market, and he decided to buy it.
By then, the success of the first work at auction had significantly increased the value of the series, and the second Ferrari was considerably more expensive. When Roberto was told the price, he jokingly replied:
“León, ¿ese precio? ¡León, soy yo!”
The story is characteristic of Borlenghi’s humor and personality, while also capturing a pivotal moment in the recognition and appreciation of his work.
