All articles tagged with #art auction
Christie’s New York auction hauled in $1.1 billion in one evening, led by Brancusi’s Danaïde at $107.6 million and Pollock’s Number 7A, 1948 at $181.2 million, with Nicole Kidman starring in a promotional video for Danaïde as part of the Newhouse collection push—signaling a rebound in the top tier of the art market, even as buyers and observers note lingering questions about sustainability and the market’s long-term health.
Jackson Pollock's Number 7A, 1948 sold for $181 million at Christie's in New York, setting a new record for the artist and ranking as the fourth-most expensive work ever sold at auction; the sale from SI Newhouse's private collection included a Brancusi sculpture that fetched $107.6 million, the second-highest price for a sculpture at auction. Pollock's drip technique helped define abstract expressionism, and the previous pollock auction record was $61.2 million for Number 17, 1951 in 2021.
A previously unknown red chalk foot sketch by Michelangelo, dating to about 1511–12 and linked to the Libyan Sibyl on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, sold at Christie’s for £16.9 million ($23 million), far above its estimate after infrared imaging helped confirm the attribution.
Sotheby's is auctioning Maurizio Cattelan's famous 18-karat gold toilet, 'America', in November, with a starting bid around $10 million based on gold weight, highlighting its commentary on art and commodity value, and continuing its provocative legacy after theft and exhibitions worldwide.
Dozens of previously unseen Bob Ross paintings will be auctioned to raise funds for public TV stations affected by federal funding cuts, with proceeds supporting licensing fees and programming continuity for stations like PBS, highlighting Ross's enduring cultural impact and the importance of public broadcasting.
Thirty paintings by Bob Ross will be auctioned to raise funds for small and rural public TV stations affected by federal funding cuts, with proceeds supporting popular programs and station operations.
Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun ate a banana from Maurizio Cattelan's $6.2 million artwork 'Comedian' during a press conference in Hong Kong. Sun, who purchased the artwork at a Sotheby's auction, used the event to draw parallels between the artwork and cryptocurrency, likening it to NFTs. The banana, part of a duct-taped installation, has been replaced multiple times and eaten by others before. Sun's actions highlight the intersection of art, value, and digital currency.
Maurizio Cattelan's artwork "Comedian," featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby's in New York, significantly surpassing its pre-sale estimate. The buyer, Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, plans to eat the banana as part of the artistic experience. The piece, which has sparked debates about the nature of art since its 2019 debut, includes instructions for replacing the banana when it rots. Sun, who runs the Tron blockchain network, has faced fraud accusations from the US SEC, which he denies.
A banana duct-taped to a wall, part of Maurizio Cattelan's conceptual art piece 'Comedian,' sold for $6.2 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York. The winning bid came from Justin Sun, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, who purchased a certificate allowing him to recreate the artwork. The piece, which gained fame at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, sparked debate over art standards and was previously sold for up to $150,000. Sun plans to eat the banana as part of the artistic experience.
Maurizio Cattelan's artwork, "Comedian," featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for $5.2 million at Sotheby's New York, surpassing initial estimates. The piece, a cultural phenomenon since its 2019 debut, was purchased by crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, who plans to eat the banana to honor its place in art history. The sale included a certificate of authenticity and installation instructions, highlighting the intersection of art, memes, and cryptocurrency.
A long-lost portrait by Gustav Klimt, Portrait of Fräulein Lieser, has resurfaced in a private collection and is expected to fetch up to $54 million at auction. Belonging to an Austrian industrialist's family, the subject of the painting is now believed to be one of three sisters. The artwork, dating back to 1917, will be auctioned in April and is set to tour Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain, and Hong Kong before the sale.
A long-lost painting by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, "Portrait of Fraulein Lieser," has been found in Vienna after almost 100 years and is estimated to be worth over $54 million. Belonging to a Jewish family in Austria, the painting will be auctioned on 24 April in accordance with the Washington Principles to return Nazi-looted art to its rightful descendants. The portrait, once owned by the wealthy Lieser family, will be presented internationally before the auction, and its legal history regarding theft or looting during World War II is under scrutiny. Klimt's art has previously fetched record-breaking sums at auction, with "Lady with a Fan" selling for £85.3 million in June.
A glass vase purchased for $3.99 from a Goodwill store in Virginia turned out to be a rare piece of Murano glass designed by architect Carlo Scarpa in 1942. The vase, part of Scarpa's "Pennellate" series, was sold at an art and design auction for over $107,000, more than doubling its top estimate. The buyer remains anonymous, but the seller, Jessica Vincent, expressed her excitement and gratitude for the unexpected windfall, stating that she needed the money more than the vase. Vincent, an avid thrifter, plans to continue her treasure hunting adventures.
A retired NYC dog walker's dreams were shattered when a painting he believed to be worth $10 million by artist Chuck Close sold for only $40,000 at auction. The retiree, Mark Herman, had received the painting as a gift from a friend and had high hopes for its value. However, the artist's estate had no record of the painting, causing doubts. A photograph of the painting was later discovered, confirming its authenticity. Despite initial estimates of $20,000 to $30,000, the painting received only one bid at $40,000. The buyer, Long Island lawyer James Pincow, saw potential in the undervalued artwork and was intrigued by its backstory.
A painting by Pablo Picasso titled "Woman with a Watch" has sold for $139.4 million at an auction in New York, making it the second-highest price ever achieved for the artist. The masterpiece depicts Picasso's young mistress, Marie-Therese Walter, and was purchased by an anonymous buyer after a four-minute bidding process. Picasso, known for his artistic versatility, completed over 13,000 paintings and 100,000 engravings and prints during his lifetime.