Sotheby's $407.5m auction led by Mnuchin's Rothko sets market tone

Sotheby's evening sale in New York on May 14, 2026, comprising the Robert Mnuchin collection and a contemporary portion, totaled $407.5 million ($433.1m with fees), within pre-sale estimates of $325.6m to $444m. The Mnuchin collection, all 11 lots guaranteed, achieved $140.7m ($166.3m with fees). Highlights included Mark Rothko's Brown and Blacks in Reds (1957) selling for $74m ($85.7m with fees), just below the artist's record; Willem de Kooning's Untitled III (1975) made its auction debut at $23.5m ($26m with fees); and Jean-Michel Basquiat's Museum Security (Broadway Meltdown, 1983) reached $45.2m ($52.7m with fees). The contemporary section set four artist records, including Ding Shilun's Three Princes at $280,000 ($358,400 with fees) and Yu Nishimura's Leaves Carpet at $780,000 ($998,400 with fees). The sale took place at Sotheby's new headquarters, The Breuer, formerly the Whitney Museum. Christie's New York holds its evening sale on Monday.