All sales were characterized by lively and vibrant bidding and purchasing from around the world (regional split of 57% Americas / 29% EMEA / 14% APAC for the three evening sales of the week). Eighteen records were set for a range of artists established and emerging, including the highlight, Rene Magritte's masterpiece L'empire des lumieres from the collection of Mica Ertegun, sold for the record sum of 121,2 million dollars and set a new benchmark for surrealism.
Four days of auctions from 19th to 22nd November
Sales started on Tuesday, November 19th with MICA: THE COLLECTION OF MICA ERTEGUN Part I and the 20th Century Evening Sale which achieved a total of $486 million, selling 83% by lot, 92% by value, and 120% hammer and premium above the low estimate. The Collection of Mica Ertegun achieved $184 million, selling 100% by lot, 100% by value, 132% hammer and premium above the low estimate and the 20th Century Evening Sale totaled $302 million, selling 77% by lot, 88% by value, 114% hammer and premium above the low estimate. Christie's set seven records, including the Magritte masterpiece from the Collection of Mica Ertegun, as well as Ed Ruscha's Standard Station, Ten-Cent Western Being Torn in Half, the top lot of the 20th Century Evening Sale.
On Wednesday, November 20, sales continued with MICA: THE MICA ERTEGUN COLLECTION Part II, Impressionist and Modern Works on Paper and the Impressionist and Modern Art Daily Sale. In total, the three sales realized $31 million. Part II of the Mica Ertegun Collection reached $5 million, selling 100% by lot and 100% by value; the top lot of the sale was Trois personnages debout, an exceptional work on paper by Pablo Picasso, which sold for $567.000. Impressionist and Modern Works on Paper followed, totaling $7,4 million, of which 90% sold by lot, 89% sold by value, led by Marc Chagall’s Ecuyère au bouquet sur un cheval which surpassed its high estimate at $1 million. The final auction of the day, the Impressionist and Modern Art Day Sale, totaled $18,4 million, selling 76% by lot and 79% by value. The top lot of the sale was Baiser, grand modèle, a phenomenal sculpture by Auguste Rodin from a major private collection, which realized $3.438.000.
On November 21, the 21st Century Evening Sale took place at Rockefeller Center. The 42-lot sale generated exceptional results, totaling $106,5 million. The sale sold 100% by lot, 100% by value, and 142% above the low estimate. The top lot of the evening was an untitled portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat, which realized $23 million, setting a record for a work on paper for the artist. Eleven artists achieved new records in the sale, including six women.
On Friday, November 22, the Marquee Week sales concluded with the online sales of Post-War Day and Contemporary Art and Picasso Ceramics. The Post-War and Contemporary Art Day sale realized $64,2 million and sold 86% on value, 83% on lot, and 120% hammer and premium over its low estimate. The top lot was Andy Warhol’s Flowers, which realized $2,5 million. Picasso Ceramics totaled $1,7 million, selling 100% on lot, 100% on value, and 254% hammer and premium over its low estimate. The top lot of the sale was Pablo Picasso’s Profil de Jacqueline, which nearly doubled its low estimate to reach $277.200.
The 18 Records d'Artista, a great success for the surrealist Rene Magritte
- Rene Magritte, L'empire des lumières; Price Realized: $121,160,000
- Ed Ruscha, Standard Station, Ten-Cent Western Being Torn in Half; Price Realized: $68,260,000
- Rene Magritte, L'empire des lumières – record for a work on paper; Price Realized: $18,810,000
- Roy Lichtenstein, George Washington – record for a work on paper; Price Realized: $7,068,000
- Christian Schad, Anna Gabbioneta; Price realized: $3,196,000
- Susan Rothenberg, United States II; Price realized: $1,986,000
- Amedee Ozenfant, Abstraction; Price realized: $1,008,000
- Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled; – record for work on paper – Price Realized: $22,950,000
- Firelei Báez, Josephine Judas GOAT (it does not disturb me to accept that there are places where my identity is obscure to me, and the fact that it amazes you does not mean I relinquish it); Price Realized: $567,000
- Denzil Forrester, Street Music; Price Realized: $189,000
- Ana Mendieta, Untitled; Price Realized: $756,000
- Sasha Gordon, Gone Fishing; Price realized: $214,200
- Roni Horn, Untitled (“The yes without the no.”); Price Realized: $1,804,500
- Hilary Pecis, Wine at J's; Price realized: $1,260,000
- Louise Bourgeois, Les Fleurs; – record for work on paper – Price Realized: $2,591,000
- Sarah Sze, Long Ending; Price realized: $1,071,000
- William Eggleston, Untitled; Price realized: $1,441,500
- Keith Haring, Untitled (Hollywood African Mask); – record for sculpture – Price realized: $3,196,000
