A Record-Shattering Night: Klimt Masterpiece and Cattelan’s Golden Toilet Lead a Historic Evening at Sotheby’s
New York witnessed a spectacular chapter in modern art history as Sotheby’s delivered one of its most electrifying evenings to date. The auction house achieved a commanding $236.4 million for a rare portrait by Gustav Klimt, instantly ranking it as the second most expensive painting ever sold at auction. The masterpiece ignited a bidding frenzy, reaffirming Klimt’s enduring influence and the global demand for museum-level works.
In a contrasting yet equally sensational moment, the night’s spotlight expanded beyond canvas and color when Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous solid-gold toilet, titled America, sold for an astonishing $12.1 million. Long known for sparking debates around excess, satire, and political commentary, the 18-karat gold sculpture once again proved that conceptual art can command extraordinary value in today’s marketplace.
Together, these headline-making sales turned the evening into a historic spectacle—one that blended the reverence of classical artistry with the provocation of contemporary expression. Collectors, critics, and connoisseurs hailed the event as a rare convergence of tradition, innovation, and cultural commentary.
With record-breaking prices and global attention, Sotheby’s has set a bold tone for the modern and contemporary art market heading into the next auction cycle.
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