René Magritte
L'empire des lumières (1954):
A star of the Mica Ertegun Collection auction, this masterpiece hammered at $105 million and achieved $121.6 million with fees, surpassing its $95 million estimate. With only 17 oil versions in existence, this work set a new auction record for Magritte, shattering the previous record of £59.4 million set in 2022. It accounted for 41% of the total sale, cementing Magritte’s place as a powerhouse in the art market.
La recherche de l’absolu (1961):
A small gouache on paper in golden hues, this work hammered at $7 million and sold for $8.4 million with fees, a significant increase from its 1996 sale for $250,000.
Les chasseurs au bord de la nuit (1928):
Hammered at $8 million, meeting its low estimate, and achieved $9.6 million with fees.
David Hockney
Still Life on a Glass Table (1971):
Making its auction debut, this painting highlighted Hockney’s fascination with reflection and still life. It hammered at $16.2 million and achieved just over $19 million with fees, exceeding its $15 million low estimate.
Three Chairs with a Section of a Picasso Mural (1970):
A tribute to Picasso, this work hammered at $7.5 million, surpassing its $6 million estimate, and achieved over $9 million with fees.
Ed Ruscha
Standard Station, Ten-Cent Western Being Torn in Half (1964):
Consigned by Texas oil billionaire Sid Bass, this work hammered at $59 million and achieved $68.2 million with fees, setting a new auction record for Ruscha, surpassing his previous high of $52 million in 2019.
Marble Shatters Drinking Glass (1968):
Sold for $2.2 million at the hammer and $2.7 million with fees, outperforming its $1.8 million high estimate. The piece highlights Ruscha’s versatility beyond his text-based works.
Marcel Duchamp
In Advance of the Broken Arm (1964):
This ready-made iron snow shovel hammered at $2.5 million and achieved over $3 million with fees, becoming Duchamp’s second-highest valued work at auction.
Roy Lichtenstein
George Washington (1962):
A graphite rubbing on paper hammered at $5.8 million and sold for $7 million with fees, within its estimate range. The piece last sold for $940,750 in 2001.
Purist Painting with Pitcher, Glass and Classical Column (1975):
Hammered below its $4–$6 million estimate at $3.8 million and achieved $4.6 million with fees.
Frank Stella
Untitled (Concentric Squares) (1974):
Featuring Stella’s signature geometric patterns, this vibrant work hammered at $5 million, matching its low estimate, and achieved $6.1 million with fees. The result reflects steady market demand for Stella’s minimalist abstractions.
Ellsworth Kelly
Two Curves (2004):
This elegant sculpture, debuting at auction, hammered at $3.1 million and achieved $3.8 million with fees. The result ranks among Kelly’s top ten sales, underscoring ongoing interest in his minimalist approach to form and space.
Alberto Giacometti
Femme qui marche (II) (1932):
A testament to Giacometti’s exploration of the human figure, this bronze hammered at $22.8 million and achieved $26.6 million with fees. Its dynamic posture and existential resonance captivated collectors.
Femme debout, sans bras (1958):
This compact bronze hammered at $3.3 million and achieved $4 million with fees, performing solidly within its estimate.
Pablo Picasso
Femme et jeune garçon nus (1969):
A late-career painting blending sensuality with raw emotion, it exceeded estimates, hammering at $2.2 million and achieving $2.7 million with fees. The result highlights continued demand for Picasso’s diverse body of work.
Market Insights
