Christie's 21st century evening sale on May 14, 2025, generated $96.4 million against a presale low estimate of $79.5 million, with 39 lots offered and a sell-through rate of 90% before withdrawals. The top lot was Jean-Michel Basquiat's 'Baby Boom' (1982), which sold for $23.4 million with fees, consigned by collector Peter M. Brant. Marlene Dumas's 'Miss January' (1997) achieved $13.6 million, setting a new record for the most expensive living female artist, surpassing Jenny Saville's previous record. Other notable sales included Simone Leigh's 'Sentinel' (2020) at $5.7 million, while works by Ellsworth Kelly and Felix Gonzalez-Torres failed to sell.
The sale reflects a cautious art market amid economic uncertainty, including recent Los Angeles fires, tariffs, stock market volatility, and declining contemporary art auction sales. Art advisers noted that buyers are waiting for opportunities, with activity concentrated at the right price levels. The Dumas record highlights ongoing interest in top-tier works by living female artists, but the subdued bidding and multiple withdrawn or unsold lots underscore a market that remains selective and risk-averse.