May 2026 Auction Results
Updated: 19 hours ago
The May New York marquee auctions have demonstrated that the art market isn't simply strong or weak, it's increasingly selective.
$2.5B in sales across the major houses, driven by exceptional single-owner collections and trophy works.
Ultra high-end of the market remains resilient for exceptional works which achieve exceptional results
$1.4B in marquee lots were backed by third-party guarantees
Provenance, rarity and quality attract fierce bidding and record prices
Works fresh to market continue to command premiums
Buyers remain disciplined and deeply selective
Strong sell-through rates for works in the $20,000 - $50,000 range with strong provenance, quality, appropriate estimates and when new to market
Attracts the broadest buyer base
First-time serious collectors
Established collectors adding depth to their collection
Larger pool of potential buyers
The May New York auctions reinforced a trend we've observed for several years: the current art market rewards rarity, quality, provenance and freshness to market. While headline-grabbing records suggest renewed confidence, the market remains highly selective, underscoring the importance of working with informed advisors and valuation experts to navigate these rippled waters.
Here are some highlights and surprises:
Mark Rothko
Brown and Blacks in Reds, 1957
Oil on canvas
90 1/2 x 60 5/8 inches
Sold for: $85.78m
Estimate: $70m - $100m (with buyer’s premium)
Robert Mnuchin: Collector at Heart
Sotheby’s, New York
May 14, 2026
Jackson Pollock
Number 7A, 1948
Oil and enamel on canvas
35 x 131 1/2 inches
Sold for: $181,185,000 (with buyer’s premium)
Estimate on request
Masterpieces: The Private Collection of S.I. Newhouse
Christie’s, New York
May 18, 2026
Julie Mehretu
Six Bardos: Hymn (Behind the Sun), 2018
Color aquatint etching
50 3/8 x 73 inches
Edition 9/45
Sold for: $206,400 (with buyer’s premium)
Estimate: $100,000 - $150,000
Modern & Contemporary Art: Afternoon Session
Phillips, New York
May 21, 2026
Fred Eversley
Untitled (parabolic lens), 1974/2018
Cast polyester
19 1/2 x 19 1/2 x 6 5/8 inches
Sold for: $266,700 (with buyer’s premium)
Estimate: $100,000 - $150,000
Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale
Christie’s, New York
May 21, 2026
Richard Artschwager
Two-Part Invention, 1967
Formica on wood, in two parts
Wall piece: 57 x 21 1/2 x 16 inches
Floor piece: 10 1/4 x 21 1/2 x 33 inches
Sold for: $635,000 (including buyer’s premium)
Estimate: $60,000 - $80,000
Defined Space: The Collection of Henry S. McNeil, Jr.
Christie’s, New York
May 20, 2026
