Barnett Newman’s Blue Hued Painting Sold for $43.8 Million at Sotheby’s

by Slamchica May 17, 2013, 10:49

The highlight at the auction of contemporary art at Sotheby’s New York sale was a large 1953 painting by abstract expressionist artist Barnett Newman. His blue hued painting, “Onement VI” was sold for $43.8 million and set the auction record for his work.

The previous record for artist’s work was $22.4 million, paid just a year ago for another canvas in the same series.

Another record price was paid for Gerhard Richter’s “Domplatz, Mailand [Cathedral Square, Milan]” from 1968, which sold for $37,125,000 – making it the most expensive work ever sold at auction by a living artist.

Four other paintings sold for more than $20 million, including Jackson Pollock’s “Blue Unconscious” (1946).

The auction totaled $293.6 million, above its low estimate of $283.9 million but well below its $382.9 million high.

Barnett Newman blue unconscious canvas contemporary art expressionist artist gerhard richter Jackson Pollock Onement VI painting Sotheby's

Written by Slamchica

Aleksandra Arsenovic graduated with a degree in economics and has a master degree in tourism. Since she worked as a travel agent, she has traveled around the world and developed an interest in luxurious hotels and exotic destinations. As a big fashion fan, Aleksandra loves expensive and luxury fashion items. As an editor of Extravaganzi she shares her knowledge about travels, fashion and accessories.