Rothko Sells for 46.5 Million

[Peter G]

http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-rothko-painting-sells-for-46.5-million-in-ny-auction-2015-5

[vodou]

Prior to the auction it had been estimated at around $20 million -- a hefty sum for an artist Sotheby's said was virtually unknown until 2011.

What an odd statement. I've been "into" Sigmar Polke since the mid-90s (and most certainly not the only one, not claiming any sort of highbrow status here!) and so have Sotheby's and Christie's. I have numerous contemporary sale catalogs from both houses from then till now with Polke originals and prints prominently (and regularly) offered. However, I've seen this same modern myth of obscurity cascading throughout other Polke talk of the last few years; perhaps this is simple marketing dept positioning?

[pinupcartoonguy]

Maybe they mean virtually unknown to the obscenely rich until 2011.

 

 

[vodou]

Yes, probably code for "we haven't been able to get more than one billionaire interested...until now"

[pinupcartoonguy]

Makes me think of that scene from the first Iron Man movie when Pepper is buying a Pollock for Tony and he thinks Spring period refers to a season rather than a place.