A recent auction at Christie’s in New York showcased the remarkable value of Jackson Pollock’s art. His painting, Number 7A, 1948, achieved an astonishing price of $181.2 million in under seven minutes, setting a new sales record for the artist.
Details of the Historic Auction
The auction took place on a Monday evening and highlighted the passion for modern art. Number 7A, 1948, an iconic drip painting, was auctioned off after attracting massive attention during a 10-day public exhibition at Christie’s Rockefeller Center. The exhibition drew nearly 20,000 visitors, eager to see Pollock’s work and other featured pieces.
Significance of Number 7A, 1948
Created in 1948 when Pollock was just 36 years old, Number 7A is notable for its expansive dimensions, measuring almost one meter in height and over three meters in width. The piece was painted in the artist’s barn in East Hampton, Long Island, and is recognized as the largest of his drip paintings still privately owned. Pollock’s other works predominantly reside in museums.
Auction Highlights
- Final sale price of Number 7A: $181,185,000.
- Sold to an unidentified bidder after only seven minutes of bidding.
- Part of the estate collection of S.I. Newhouse, a prominent media figure who passed away in 2017.
- The Newhouse collection also featured works by Picasso, Mondrian, and Warhol.
Alongside Pollock’s masterpiece, a sculpture by Constantin Brancusi, titled Danaïde, also crossed the $100 million mark, selling for $107.6 million. The entire auction, which included 16 lots, generated over $631 million in total sales.
Paige Kestenman, co-head of the 20th Century Evening Sale at Christie’s, expressed her excitement over the enthusiastic bidding. She noted that the high level of engagement from bidders reflected the auction house’s team efforts and commitment to showcasing significant modern art.
This auction reaffirms Jackson Pollock’s continuing influence and importance in the art world, highlighting the evolving market for iconic American artwork.
