An artwork by Jackson Pollock showcasing his famous painted swoops, swirls, pours, and drizzles achieved a remarkable sales milestone at a New York auction on Monday evening, fetching a staggering $181.2 million in the United States. Titled “Number 7A, 1948,” this iconic drip painting by the American abstract expressionist nearly tripled his previous auction sales record, as reported by Christie’s Auction House.
The focal point of Monday’s auction, “Number 7A, 1948,” is hailed as a groundbreaking piece for the artist. This captivating oil-and-enamel on raw canvas artwork, standing almost a meter tall and over three meters wide, was swiftly sold in less than seven minutes of intense bidding to an undisclosed buyer for $181,185,000. The event followed a 10-day public exhibition of the Pollock and other artworks at Christie’s Rockefeller Center venue, attracting nearly 20,000 eager visitors.
Pollock created “Number 7A, 1948” at the age of 36, just prior to his passing, inside the barn at his Long Island residence near East Hampton. While most of his drip paintings found homes in museums, “Number 7A, 1948” remained one of the largest works in private possession. This piece was among the 16 modern artworks from the collection of the late S.I. Newhouse, the American media mogul who co-owned the Condé Nast media empire and passed away in 2017, being auctioned that evening.
Another highlight of the auction was the sculpture “Danaïde” by Constantin Brancusi, which also surpassed the $100 million mark, selling for $107.6 million. Overall, the sale of 20th-century artworks from the Newhouse collection, including pieces by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian, Joan Miro, Andy Warhol, and Jasper Johns, resulted in all 16 lots being sold for a total of $631 million, inclusive of auction house fees.
Christie’s co-head of the 20th Century Evening Sale, Paige Kestenman, expressed satisfaction with the auction outcome, noting the enthusiasm of both the team and clients, along with the spirited bidding that characterized the event.