In brief
In a historic auction, Jackson Pollock's 'Number 7A, 1948' sold for an astounding $181 million, breaking the record for the highest price ever obtained for a work by Pollock. The painting, showcasing the artist's signature drip technique, is now the fourth most expensive artwork sold at auction. This auction also included a bronze sculpture by Constantin Brancusi, which sold for over $100 million, demonstrating the continued high value placed on abstract and modern art.
A Jackson Pollock artwork, described as one of history's first truly abstract paintings, has sold at auction for $181 million (£135 million) in New York.
'Number 7A, 1948', which went under the hammer at the renowned Christie's auction house, smashed the previous record for the most a work by the late American artist has garnered at auction.
The painting, from the private collection of media magnate SI Newhouse, is now the fourth most expensive artwork ever sold at auction, according to ARTnews.
Also in the collection was a bronze sculpture by Romanian artist Constantin Brancusi, which sold for $107.6 million - marking the second highest amount for a sculpture at auction.
Pollock, who died in 1956, was a major figure in the abstract expressionist art movement, known for his unique drip painting technique. The previous auction record for one of Pollock's artworks was $61.2 million for 'Number 17, 1951', which sold in 2021.
Describing 'Number 7A, 1948', Christie's noted it depicts black drips of paint with touches of red on a canvas spanning over three meters. They emphasized its significance in art history, stating, It is with this work that Pollock finally frees himself from the shackles of conventional easel painting and produces one of the first truly abstract paintings.
Other artworks sold at the Christie's auction included pieces by Mark Rothko and Joan Miro, which also broke previous records for the artists at auction.
