Visit to an Auction House
No. 1, Mark Rothko, 1954
This was the announcement at the Sotheby's site.
ROTHKO LEADS CONTEMPORARY
ART EVENING AUCTIONA seminal, large-scale masterpiece by Mark Rothko,
No.1 (Royal Red and Blue), led Sotheby's
Contemporary Art Evening Auction on 13 November,
achieving over $75 million.
TUESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER, NEW YORK - The 13 November Evening Auction of Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s totaled $375,149,000, the best auction result in any category in the Company’s history (est. $277/374 million). The sale was 84% sold-by-lot and was led by Mark Rothko’s No.1 (Royal Red and Blue), which sold for $75,122,500 (est. $35/50 million). Artist records were set for Jackson Pollock, Hans Hofmann, Arshile Gorky, Robert Motherwell, and Wade Guyton, as well as for a work-on-paper by Andy Warhol and a painting by Takashi Murakami.
ROTHKO LEADS CONTEMPORARY
ART EVENING AUCTIONA seminal, large-scale masterpiece by Mark Rothko,
No.1 (Royal Red and Blue), led Sotheby's
Contemporary Art Evening Auction on 13 November,
achieving over $75 million.
TUESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER, NEW YORK - The 13 November Evening Auction of Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s totaled $375,149,000, the best auction result in any category in the Company’s history (est. $277/374 million). The sale was 84% sold-by-lot and was led by Mark Rothko’s No.1 (Royal Red and Blue), which sold for $75,122,500 (est. $35/50 million). Artist records were set for Jackson Pollock, Hans Hofmann, Arshile Gorky, Robert Motherwell, and Wade Guyton, as well as for a work-on-paper by Andy Warhol and a painting by Takashi Murakami.
Wow. The above piece No. 1 sold for over $75 million? I honor, respect and believe in the value of art, but $75 million?
The colors are gorgeous in this piece. The placement of the colors, the beautiful way the bands do not look like bands but instead "feel" soft. When I look at this painting, I feel calm. The masterpiece also stimulates a sensuality, even a sexuality within. I find the price atrocious when there are so many other causes right now that require funds. However, I really like this piece! Yes, I would place this in my living room, gladly! (if someone else bought it for me)
I like the way the bottom half of the orange block doesn't look solid, instead a bit like a cloud. The other portion of the orange block as well as the other two colored blocks look more opaque. The pink block has a very distinct little square of lighter or absent of color in the lower left hand side. My eyes were drawn there almost immediately. One would think a square like that would seem harsh or add a stronger, geometric feel. But, I didn't find that. It somehow still felt soft, and I like it's there even though I do not know why. I like the way the bottom of the painting under the blue block is a different color than the rest of the entire painting. I also see some sort of dripping effect, but it does not look distracting nor does it look messy or oddly placed. It looks like it goes there, not a mistake but another soft addition to the piece which fits.
I really like this piece. I have to say when I saw the selling price, before viewing the painting, I was appalled and at first glance I got an attitude of how it wasn't worth it. But I wanted to really look at it before making a final decision on what I thought of it. I love it, even though the money part is outrageous. I so appreciate this class, for it is helping me to appreciate art!
The colors are gorgeous in this piece. The placement of the colors, the beautiful way the bands do not look like bands but instead "feel" soft. When I look at this painting, I feel calm. The masterpiece also stimulates a sensuality, even a sexuality within. I find the price atrocious when there are so many other causes right now that require funds. However, I really like this piece! Yes, I would place this in my living room, gladly! (if someone else bought it for me)
I like the way the bottom half of the orange block doesn't look solid, instead a bit like a cloud. The other portion of the orange block as well as the other two colored blocks look more opaque. The pink block has a very distinct little square of lighter or absent of color in the lower left hand side. My eyes were drawn there almost immediately. One would think a square like that would seem harsh or add a stronger, geometric feel. But, I didn't find that. It somehow still felt soft, and I like it's there even though I do not know why. I like the way the bottom of the painting under the blue block is a different color than the rest of the entire painting. I also see some sort of dripping effect, but it does not look distracting nor does it look messy or oddly placed. It looks like it goes there, not a mistake but another soft addition to the piece which fits.
I really like this piece. I have to say when I saw the selling price, before viewing the painting, I was appalled and at first glance I got an attitude of how it wasn't worth it. But I wanted to really look at it before making a final decision on what I thought of it. I love it, even though the money part is outrageous. I so appreciate this class, for it is helping me to appreciate art!