Mark Rothko’s 1949 painting 'No. 10' sold for $8.5 million at Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary Evening Auction in Hong Kong, establishing a new auction record for the artist’s 'Multiforms' series. The sale was part of a high-profile event that also saw Joan Mitchell’s 'La Grande Vallée VI' become the most expensive work by a female artist ever sold at auction in Asia.
The record-breaking price for 'No. 10' highlights the enduring market demand for transitional works that bridge the gap between figurative art and pure abstraction. By showcasing the evolution of Rothko’s signature color-field style, the auction underscores how early experimental series are increasingly being revalued by global collectors as essential components of an artist's historical narrative.