Inside Christie's Auction Record

Some news you've probably heard already: Picasso's Nude Green Leaves and Bust (1932) sold for $106.5 million, overcoming the previous auction record for the most expensive work sold at auction. The iconic Picasso and 69 other Impressionist and Modern works were sold Tuesday evening at Christie's Rockefeller center auction room. The now famous Picasso was part of the also famed collection of Mrs. Sidney F. Brody, a Los Angeles philanthropist.
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Miami Basel: Slow but Steady

Some 265 galleries from 33 countries participated in the eighth installment of Art Basel Miami Beach, newly and entirely in the Miami convention center. The new space, boasted 502,848-square-feet (as opposed to last year's 385,200) which meant more breathing room for each booth, or more to live up to-depending upon whom you ask. The fair only added five additional galleries but included the fair's slightly cheaper section, Art Nova, and single-artist presentations, Art Kabinett, are now all under one roof. Some dealers confessed that the layout was confusing, but VIPs (and a remarkable number of non-VIPS) nonetheless steadily made the effort at the Wednesday preview.

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Sothebys Posts Best Results Since 2004

It doesn't get much better than this—96.3% sold by lot and 98.6% by value. Sotheby's sold 52 out of the 54 lots on offer, and sold them well-well above the estimates in many cases. According to Tobias Meyer, the evening's auctioneer, "there was bidding from all parts of the world." The room was packed with American and European dealers and the room teemed with the usual high rolling collectors. Valentino, Michael Ovitz and Lawrence Graff filled the front rows, and they were all there to bid.
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Americans Show Up for Christies Contemporary

Strong results for Christie's Contemporary sale: Last night Christie's sold $74,151,500 worth of art. The sale carried a presale low estimate of $68.65 million and a high estimate of $97.15.  Read More