New York – Christie’s New York continued Fall Marquee Week with the 20^th Century Evening Sale, which took place on Thursday, November 9, 2023. The evening’s total was $640,846,000 selling 97% by lot, 98% by value, and 105% hammer against low estimate, bringing the running total of the week to $748,297,800. This total represents the highest total in a single night for a various-owner evening sale since November 2017.

Christie’s set six records during the sale: Richard Diebenkorn’s Recollections of a Visit to Leningrad was the highest record of the night, selling for $46,410,000. This was followed by Joan Mitchell’s Untitled which sold for $29,160,000. Arshile Gorky’s Charred Beloved I, sold for $23,410,000, Barbara Hepworth’s The Family of Man: Ancestor II sold for $11,565,000, Fernando Botero’s The Musicians achieved $5,132,000, and Joan Snyder’s The Stripper sold for $478,800.

In his last appearance at Rockefeller Center’s rostrum, Christie’s Global President Jussi Pylkkänen appeared as an auctioneer, hammering the top lot of the evening: Claude Monet’s Le bassin aux nymphéas which sold for $74,010,000. After the gavel came down, he was met with a standing ovation.

Three Cezanne paintings were sold to benefit the Langmatt Museum in Baden, Switzerland. The group was led by Fruits et pot de gingembre which realized $38,935,000. This was followed by Quatre pommes et un couteau selling for $10,415,000. And the final work, La mer à l'Estaque, totaled $3,196,000.

Emily Kaplan, Co-Head of the 20th Century Evening Sale, said, “It was a thrill to oversee this season’s 20th Century Evening Sale. The offerings were of the highest quality and the market responded with unparalleled enthusiasm. We set new benchmarks, achieving record prices for six artists, including art historical icons: Richard Diebenkorn, Joan Mitchell, and Arshile Gorky. The auction was an unrivaled success.” 

Imogen Kerr, Co-Head of the 20th Century Evening Sale, said, “Our 20th Century Evening Sale was a true celebration of great art, with masterpieces ranging from the Impressionist era through contemporary classics of the current day. It was a particular honor for us to sell Claude Monet’s exquisite Le bassin aux nympheas, which realized $74 million. We are looking forward to building upon the momentum as we head into our Day Sales.”

The sale featured exceptional results for two collections: The Collection of Ivan & Genevieve Reitman and The Collection of Jerry Moss, both of which will offer subsequent property in forthcoming Day Sales.

Fall Marquee Week Sales continue with the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale taking place Friday, November 10, 2023 beginning live at 10AM.