Record Sale at Christie’s Auction House

The painting, titled Number 7A, 1948, was auctioned at Christie’s in New York and set a new record for the highest price paid for a Pollock artwork at auction.

Previously, the record was $61.2m for Pollock’s Number 17, 1951, which was sold in 2021, and the new record makes Number 7A, 1948, the fourth most expensive artwork ever sold at auction, according to ARTnews.

Number 7A, 1948, is a large canvas spanning more than three metres and features black drips of paint with touches of red — Christie’s described it as a key piece of art history.

Notable Private Collection

The painting was part of the private collection of SI Newhouse, a media magnate. Alongside Number 7A. 1948. The collection also included a bronze sculpture by Romanian artist Constantin Brancusi, which sold for $107.6m,the second-highest amount ever paid for a sculpture at auction.

Pollock, who died in 1956, was a major figure in the abstract expressionist art movement. His drip painting technique is one of the art world’s most recognisable and often imitated styles.

Other Record-Breaking Sales

Christie’s auction also saw other artworks break previous records. Pieces by Mark Rothko and Joan Miro also sold for record prices at the event. Christie’s highlighted that Number 7A, 1948, is significant because it marked Pollock’s departure from conventional easel painting and the creation of one of the first truly abstract paintings in the history of art.

According to Christie’s description, the painting represents a major moment in Pollock’s career. The auction house wrote, ‘It is with this work that Pollock finally frees himself from the shackles of conventional easel painting and produces one of the first truly abstract paintings in the history of art.’