The list of the 10 most expensive artworks sold at auction in May was complete by the middle of the month, when the annual spring sales of modern and contemporary art wrapped up in New York. At least a few of these entries are likely to make the year-end top 10 list, as well. They range from works by Impressionist masters, like Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh, to those of blue-chip contemporary stalwarts, like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol.
Notably, Phillips, the perennially third-place house in terms of total sales, was able to boast the biggest price of the season, selling a major 1982 Basquiat for $46.5 million to best its rivals, Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Also notable: These top 10 lots reflect the growing—and long overdue—market recognition for female artists, especially a number of the Surrealist icons who have been gathering momentum in recent years.
Read on for the Artnet Price Database’s breakdown of May’s most expensive artworks at auction.
1. Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (Elmar), 1982
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (ELMAR), 1982. Courtesy of Phillips.
Estimate: $40 million to $60 million
Final Price: $46.5 million
Where & When: Phillips New York, May 14, 2024
2. Andy Warhol, Flowers, 1964
Andy Warhol, Flowers, 1964. Courtesy of Christies.
Estimate: $20 million to $30 million
Final Price: $35.5 million
Where & When: Christie’s New York, May 16, 2024
3. Claude Monet, Meules à Giverny, 1893
Claude Monet, Meules à Giverny, 1893. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Estimate: In excess of $30 million
Final Price: $34.8 million
Where & When: Sotheby’s New York, May 15, 2024
4. Vincent van Gogh, Coin de jardin avec papillons, 1883
Vincent van Gogh, Coin de jardin avec papillons (1883). Courtesy of Christie’s.
Estimate: $28 million to $35 million
Final Price: $33 million
Where & When: Christie’s New York, May 16, 2024
5. Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Italian Version of Popeye Has No Pork In His Diet, 1982
Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Italian Version of Popeye Has No Pork in His Diet, 1982. Courtesy of Christie’s.
Estimate: $30 million
Final Price: $32 million
Where & When: Christie’s New York, May 14, 2024
6. David Hockney, A Lawn Being Sprinkled, 1967
David Hockney’s A Lawn Being Sprinkled, 1967. Courtesy of Christie’s.
Estimate: $25 million to $35 million
Final Price: $28.6 million
Where & When: Christie’s New York, May 16, 2024
7. Leonora Carrington, Les Distractions de Dagobert, 1945
Leonora Carrington, Les Distractions de Dagobert (1945). Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Estimate: $12 million to $18 million
Final Price: $28.5 million
Where & When: Sotheby’s New York, May 15, 2024
8. Francis Bacon, Portrait of George Dyer Crouching, 1966
Francis Bacon, Portrait of George Dyer Crouching, 1966. Courtesy of Sothebys.
Estimate: $30 million to $50 million
Final Price: $27.7 million
Where & When: Sotheby’s New York, May 13, 2024
9. Lucio Fontana, Concetto spaziale, La fine di Dio, 1964
Lucio Fontana, Concetto spazaiale, La fine di Dio, 1964. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Estimate: $20 million to $30 million
Final Price: $22.96 million
Where & When: Sotheby’s New York, May 13, 2024
10. Joan Mitchell, Noon, circa 1969
Joan Mitchell, Noon, 1969. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Estimate: $15 million to $20 million
Final Price: $22.6 million
Where & When: Sotheby’s New York, May 13, 2024