Christie’s New York auctions generate $421.9 million with eight new records

Christie’s New York held two evening sales on November 17, 2022, at Rockefeller Center, generating a combined total of $421,976,700 and setting eight new auction records. The 20th Century Evening Sale, featuring works from Impressionism to Pop Art, achieved $307,945,300. Top lots included Mark Rothko’s Untitled and Amedeo Modigliani’s Beatrice Hastings, each selling for $17.6 million. Joan Mitchell’s Untitled fetched $14 million, and a rare self-portrait by Frida Kahlo sold for $8.6 million. The 21st Century Evening Sale followed, totaling $114,031,400, led by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Sugar Ray Robinson at $32.7 million, below its $35 million estimate. The painting came from the collection of Lorenzo Fertitta, who reportedly acquired it privately from Brett Gorvy for $24 million. Five new records were set for Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Rashid Johnson, Noah Davis, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, and Minjung Kim. Despite the strong results, some lots went unsold, including a Willem de Kooning, and others were withdrawn at the last moment.