This May, the auction houses achieved record numbers of women artists. While Leonora Carrington’s artwork sold for $28,5 million, Lucy Bull, Ana Mendieta, and Judith Rothschild increased sales.
A Surrealist masterpiece by Leonora Carrington (1917–2011) achieved a remarkable price of $28.5 million, fees included, at Sotheby’s auction in New York, establishing a new auction record for the British artist.
The tempera painting, “Les Distractions de Dagobert,” created in 1945, took center stage at Sotheby’s modern art evening sale. Initially estimated at $12 million to $18 million, the artwork received strong backing with an irrevocable bid, guaranteeing its sale.
The bidding process, lasting a mere 10 minutes, witnessed an intense showdown between a bidder seated in the auction room and an individual engaged in a phone battle with Alejandra Rossetti, overseeing business development for Sotheby’s in Miami.
Lucy Bull’s and Other Records
On May 13, at Sotheby’s in New York, “Lucy Bull, 16:10” (2020) fetched a staggering $1.81 million, surpassing its low estimate by more than three and a half times. This oil-on-linen artwork has changed hands twice before.
This sale exceeded expectations and set a new auction record for the artist, with a $57,000 increase, marking a 3% rise over the previous record.
Francesca Mollet’s work sold for 225% above its estimate. Mollet’s world titled Sancreed sold for $139,700, more than three times the low estimate at Phillips New York.
Francesca Mollett, Sancreed, Oil and acrylic on canvas, 2020
Helen Frankenthaler led Phillips’ $14.57 m ‘Modern & Contemporary Art Day Sale, Morning Session’ in New York. Her artwork, ‘Spirits of Wine,’ sold for $1.17 million.
At Phillips in New York on May 15, “Canyon Lake I” (2001) by Emmi Whitehorse fetched an impressive $177,800, exceeding its low estimate by more than 14 times. This oil pastel on paper, mounted to canvas, has changed hands twice.
This sale surpassed expectations and set a new auction record for the artist, with a $50,800 increase, representing a significant 39% rise over the previous record.
Judith Rothschild work sells for 200% above its estimated value at Phillips. Her work titled Figure in Space sold for $30,480. Rothschild is mainly known for infusing her paintings with a cubist flair, combined with the pioneering abstraction of the mid-century New York school.
Ana Mendiata Record at Christie’s
At Christie’s in New York on May 14, “Untitled (Sandwoman Series / Serie Mujer de Arena)” (1983) by Ana Mendieta commanded an impressive $567,000, surpassing its low estimate by more than one and a half times. This artwork, consisting of sand, earth, and binder on wood, has changed hands three times before.
This sale exceeded expectations and set a new auction record for the artist, with a remarkable increase of $363,400, representing a staggering 175% rise over the previous record.
