ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Phillips Spring Sale Nets $115.2M, Up 119% Year-on-Year

market-auction · 2026-05-20

On Tuesday, Phillips hosted an evening auction of modern and contemporary art that garnered $115.2 million, including fees, marking a remarkable 119% rise compared to the previous year. All 41 lots were sold after the withdrawal of two pieces. The total approached the estimated $121.7 million, achieving $91.7 million prior to fees against a minimum estimate of $84.3 million. Auctioneer Henry Highley commenced with Salman Toor’s Two Friends (2020), which sold for $335,400. Lee Bontecou’s Untitled (1985–2001) fetched $4.23 million, while P.S. Krøyer’s 1902 self-portrait set a record at $1.29 million. A Jackson Pollock went for $9.17 million, with fifteen lots, including works by Warhol and Matisse, falling short of estimates.

Key facts

  • Phillips evening sale of modern and contemporary art on Tuesday achieved $115.2 million with fees.
  • All 41 lots sold; two works (Richard Prince, Albert Oehlen) were withdrawn.
  • Total was up 119% from the same sale last year.
  • Before fees, total was $91.7 million against low estimate of $84.3 million.
  • 21 lots had third-party guarantees.
  • Salman Toor's Two Friends (2020) sold for $335,400 (est. $180,000–$250,000).
  • P.S. Krøyer self-portrait set artist record at $1.29 million.
  • Jackson Pollock work sold for $9.17 million, down from $15.3 million in 2024.
  • Claude Monet's La Route de Vétheuil, effet de neige sold for $9.29 million.
  • Joseph Yaeger's watercolor sold for $477,300 (est. $60,000–$80,000).

Entities

Artists

  • Salman Toor
  • Lee Bontecou
  • P.S. Krøyer
  • Joseph Yaeger
  • Helen Frankenthaler
  • Anna Weyant
  • Pat Passlof
  • Andy Warhol
  • Francis Picabia
  • Henri Matisse
  • Jackson Pollock
  • Claude Monet
  • Richard Prince
  • Albert Oehlen

Institutions

  • Phillips
  • Artnet News
  • Artnet Price Database
  • Christie's
  • Christie's London
  • Sotheby's
  • Sotheby's New York

Locations

  • New York
  • California
  • Denmark
  • London

Sources