May 9th, 2012

New record: a painting from Mark Rothko sold for $ 87 millions

The painting “Orange, Red, Yellow” by Mark Rothko was sold  $ 87 mios by Christie’s on May 8 in New York.

The American painter has broken all records for a work of art of the postwar period. This painting of 1961 more than doubled its estimate of 35 to 40 million. This composition was acquired in 1967 by David Pincus, former president of Pincus Bros.-Maxwell, who died in 2011 at the age of 85. This passionate patron was well known in the art circles for giving the Philadelphia Museum of twenty four of his portraits of Jackie Kennedy by Andy Warhol. Last seen, what Rothko was the star of his fabulous collection won by Laura Paulson, director of contemporary art at Christie’s in New York. It has exceeded all expectations by totaling 174, $ 94 million, the highest amount reached for a collection of postwar art.

After the record at nearly $ 120 million for “The Scream” by Edvard Munch, last week at Sotheby’s, the buyers showed that they are close, again, to pay very, very expensive prices for iconic works of art from twentieth century.