Phillips’ modern and contemporary art evening sale on Tuesday achieved $115.2 million against a presale estimate of $84.2 million, its highest since 2022. All 40 lots sold, with standout results for works by living artists like Joseph Yaeger, whose painting fetched $477,300 against a $60,000 estimate, and Anna Weyant, whose work sold for $980,400. Works by 20th-century female artists including Lee Bontecou, Olga de Amaral, and Helen Frankenthaler also exceeded expectations, with Bontecou’s pastel setting a record for a two-dimensional work by the artist at $4.3 million.
The sale underscores a resilient high-end art market, with Phillips’ new priority bidding system driving early engagement and higher average lot values. Strong demand for works by women artists—both emerging and historical—signals a continued market correction toward gender equity, while the frenzy for secondary-market works by living artists highlights the auction house’s strategic niche. The results also reflect broader trends of consignors accepting lower reserves and third-party guarantees playing a reduced role.