Here Are the 10 Most Expensive Lots Sold at Auction in May 2024

The marquee New York sales provided every entry, and the top-placing house was something of a surprise.

The room during the Phillips modern and contemporary art evening sale. Courtesy of Phillips auction house.

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

The artwork features bold, expressive brushstrokes in various colors, with dynamic shapes and lines intersecting across the canvas. Basquiat's distinctive style is evident, with fragmented text and symbols scattered throughout the composition, evoking a sense of raw energy and urban culture

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

painting of flowers by andy warhol

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

painting by claude monet of trees and a bush

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

an image of a lush garden in thick brushstrokes in the Impressionist style

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

A color photo shows a square painting with human forms and text

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

a painting of a green lawn being sprinkled

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

a painting by surrealist leonora carrington

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

painting by francis bacon of george dyer crouching

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

an image of an oval, yellow, egg-shaped painting with punctures by Lucio Fontana

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). Image via Sotheby's.

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

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