Sotheby's modern art evening sale in New York on Tuesday night achieved $186.4 million with buyer's premium across 60 lots, with a sell-through rate of 83.3%. Top lots included Pablo Picasso's *Homme assis* ($15.1 million), Georgia O'Keeffe's *Leaves of a Plant* ($13 million), and a new auction record for Paul Signac's *Saint-Georges. Couchant (Venise)* ($8.1 million). However, the sale was overshadowed by the failure of Alberto Giacometti's *Grande tête mince*, a 1955 bronze bust estimated north of $70 million, which went unsold after bidding stalled at $64 million.
The failed Giacometti sale is significant because it signals hesitation at the very top of the art market, even for blue-chip works with stellar provenance. Art adviser Peter Bentley Brandt noted that Christie's performed better with its top lots, and the result may make future estates cautious about consigning high-value works without guarantees. Despite this, the sale demonstrated continued strength in the sub-$5 million segment, suggesting a cooling but still robust market for mid-range works.