Sotheby’s achieves $198.1m in successful Modern evening sale in New York
Sotheby’s Modern evening sale surpassed expectations by achieving a robust $198.1m ($235.1m with fees) in sales on Wednesday (15 May). With only two of the 50 lots remaining unsold, the auction boasted a high sell-through rate of 96%. Notably, one artist record was set with Leonora Carrington’s renowned painting “Les Distractions de Dagobert” (1945) fetching a significant amount.
The auction featured a strong start with impressive sales of works by artists such as Sophie Taeuber-Arp and László Moholy-Nagy. Notable lots included Alexander Calder’s “Blue Moon” (1962) and Mark Rothko’s abstract oil painting from 1969. The sale also highlighted important Impressionist-era works, with Claude Monet’s “Meules à Giverny” (1893) taking the top lot honors.
Surrealism played a significant role in the auction, particularly with works by women artists like Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo. Carrington’s “Les Distractions de Dagobert” set a new record, selling for $24.5m. The evening also saw strong results for Surrealist pieces by artists like René Magritte.
Euro-American classics were also well-represented in the auction, with works by Pablo Picasso and Andrew Wyeth garnering attention. Picasso’s “Buste d’homme” (1969) and Wyeth’s “Rum Runner (To the Westward)” (1944) were among the notable sales.
Overall, Sotheby’s Modern evening sale proved to be successful, with a diverse range of works from different art movements fetching impressive prices. Time will tell if Christie’s can match this success when they hold their 20th-century art evening sale at Rockefeller Center.
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Cillian O’Rourke, studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, where he majored in Visual Communication. His work spans graphic design, illustration, and branding, with a distinct minimalist style that emphasizes simplicity and impact. Cillian has collaborated with international brands and runs his own design studio focusing on creative solutions for startups.