ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Christie's Spring Season Opens with $1.1 Billion Night

market-auction · 2026-05-20

On May 18, 2026, Christie's auction house in New York achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing $1 billion in sales during a single evening for the second time in history. The total from two events, including "Masterpieces: The Private Collection of S.I. Newhouse" and the 20th Century Evening Sale, reached $1,121,126,500, with 97% of items sold. Notably, Jackson Pollock's "Number 7A, 1948" commanded $181.2 million, while Constantin Brancusi's sculpture brought in $107.6 million, marking a record for the second-highest sculpture price at auction. Global bidders contributed to the excitement of the evening.

Key facts

  • Christie's New York held back-to-back sales on May 18, 2026.
  • Combined total reached $1,121,126,500.
  • 97% of lots were sold.
  • Jackson Pollock's Number 7A, 1948 sold for $181.2 million.
  • Constantin Brancusi's sculpture sold for $107.6 million.
  • Brancusi achieved the second highest auction price for a sculpture.
  • The Pollock painting came from the S.I. Newhouse collection.
  • Bidding lasted seven minutes for the Pollock.

Entities

Artists

  • Jackson Pollock
  • Constantin Brancusi

Institutions

  • Christie's

Locations

  • New York
  • United States

Sources