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Christie's Sets Record with $1.1 Billion Art Sale Featuring Nicole Kidman

KVIA•Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 5:54 PM•CNN Newsource

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Christie's auction house achieved a remarkable feat by selling over $1.1 billion in art in a single night, with more than $630 million sold in just 40 minutes. The auction included notable pieces from the collection of S.I. Newhouse, with highlights including Brancusi's 'Danaïde' fetching $107.6 million and Pollock's drip painting reaching $181.2 million, both setting new auction records. The event attracted significant attention, partly due to a promotional video featuring actress Nicole Kidman. This sale reflects a renewed interest in high-end art despite previous market uncertainties, as collectors demonstrated strong demand for rare pieces. The auction is a significant indicator of the current state of the art market, which is navigating through economic challenges.

Key Details: • Auction took place on a Monday night in New York. • Brancusi's 'Danaïde' sold for $107.6 million, breaking previous records. • Pollock's painting sold for $181.2 million, becoming the most expensive of the night. • The auction featured 16 works from the S.I. Newhouse collection. • 20,000 visitors attended the viewing prior to the auction.

art auction record christies nicole-kidman

People & Organizations

New YorkNicole KidmanChristie'sS.I. NewhouseTobias MeyerSara Friedlander

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