The Priciest Art at World's Most Expensive Art Auction Ever
The five most expensive pieces that led to this nearly $1 billion auction.
May 14, 2014 — -- An art sale at Christie's in New York brought in a record $745 million, the highest total for a single auction in art market history, achieving record prices for works by 10 artists.
The post-war and contemporary art sale on Tuesday was expected to bring in $500 million, but it surpassed the auction house's record $691.6 million event last November.
Among the 68 lots sold, here are the five priciest items from Christie's sale:
"Black Fire I" (1961) by Barnett Newman (1905-1970) spans 114 x 84 inches. The $84.2 million sale is a world auction record for the artist.
"Three Studies for a Portrait of John Edwards" (1984) by Francis Bacon (1909-1992) was expected to be worth $75 million, but brought in $80.8 million.
"Untitled" (1952) by Mark Rothko (1903-1970) brought in $66.2 million.
"Race Riot" (1964) by Andy Warhol (1928-1987) brought in nearly $62.9 million.
"White Marilyn" (1962) by Andy Warhol (1928-1987) was estimated to be worth $12 million to $18 million, but it brought in more than $41 million.