The Latest: Basquiat sells for $57.3M at Christie’s sale

NEW YORK – The Latest on a Christie’s contemporary art sale Tuesday evening in New York City: (all times local):

9 p.m.

A monumental self-portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat (zhahn mee-SHEHL’ BAH’-skee-aht) has set a worldwide auction record for the artist, selling for $57.3 million at a Christie’s contemporary art sale.

Basquiat’s self-portrait, “Untitled, 1982,” portrays the young artist as a fiery demonic figure. It had a $40 million pre-sale estimate for Tuesday evening’s sale.

A large blue and green painting by Mark Rothko also was a top seller at the auction. It fetched $32.6 million.

Other top lots include an important work by the abstract expressionist artist Clyfford Still and a group of nine sculptures by Alexander Calder that were inspired by his visit to India in 1955.

The Still painting, “PH-234, 1948,” had only two previous owners and sold for $28.2 million.

Most of Still’s works are in collections and museums, including at the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, Colorado.

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1 a.m.

A large blue and green painting by Mark Rothko and a monumental self-portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat (zhahn mee-SHEHL’ BAH’-skee-aht) are among the major highlights of Christie’s contemporary art sale.

Other top lots at Tuesday evening’s sale include an important work by the abstract expressionist artist Clyfford Still and a group of nine sculptures by Alexander Calder that were inspired by his visit to India in 1955.

Rothko’s “No. 17” is estimated to bring $30 to $40 million.

Basquiat’s self-portrait, “Untitled, 1982,” portrays the young artist as a fiery demonic figure. It has a $40 million pre-sale estimate.

The Still painting, “PH-234, 1948,” has had only two previous owners. It could bring $25 to $35 million.

Most of Still’s works are in collections and museums, including at the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, Colorado.