Image via Complex Original
Last night at Christie's in New York City, Andy Warhol, Franz Kline, Jean Michel Basquiat, Mark Rothko, Jeff Koons, and Roy Lichtenstein inspired the most frenzied buying of contemporary art ever witnessed.
When the dust settled, the sale stood as the most valuable auction ever in the category. 11 works sold for over $10 million, 56 hit for over $1 million, and the final tally was a whopping total of $412,253,100. Yes, astounding. $257,306,000 came from just 10 lots.
A great night for blue-chip American art.
The 10 Most Expensive Paintings Sold at Christie's Record-Breaking Contemporary Art Auction
10. Franz Kline
De Medici
Year: 1956
Price Realized: $11,058,500
9. Richard Diebenkorn
Ocean Park #48
Year: 1971
Price Realized: $13,522,500
8. Gerhard Richter
Abstraktes Bild (779-2)
Year: 1991
Price Realized: $15,314,500
7. Mark Rothko
Black Stripe (Orange, Gold, and Black)
Year: 1957
Price Realized: $21,362,500
6. Andy Warhol
Marlon
Year: 1966
Price Realized: $23,714,500
5. Jean-Michel Basquiat
Untitled
Year: 1981
Prize Realized: $26,402,500
4. Roy Litenstein
Nude with Red Shirt
Year: 1995
Price Realized: $28,082,500
3. Jeff Koons
Tulips
Year: 1995-2004. This work is one of five unique versions.
Price Realized: $33,682,500
2. Franz Kline
Untitled
Year: 1957
Price Realized: $40,402,500
1. Andy Warhol
Statue of Liberty
Year: 1962
Price Realized: $43,762,500