Phillips Dominates New York's Spring Auctions with $115M Record Sale
Phillips wrapped up New York’s 2026 spring auction season with a standout performance. Its Modern & Contemporary Evening Sale sold every single lot, bringing in $115.2 million. The result cements the auction house’s position alongside Christie’s and Sotheby’s in the city’s marquee-week events. The sale marked Phillips’ strongest evening auction since 2022. All forty lots found buyers, more than doubling the total from the 2025 spring equivalent. With $115,232,400 in sales, the house achieved a 90.7 percent increase over last year’s contemporary auction.
Several works shattered expectations. An early painting by Anna Weyant soared 158 percent above its high estimate, fetching $980,400. A pastel-on-canvas by Lee Bontecou set a new record for her two-dimensional pieces, selling for $4.2 million. Pat Passlof’s composition also broke a record, reaching $580,500 just months after a previous high at Sotheby’s. Across the three major houses, the 2026 spring fortnight closed at $1.85 billion. This figure far exceeded the $1.1 billion total from the same period in 2025. The results signal a shift in collector activity, with renewed demand for both trophy pieces and mid-tier works.
The auction’s success highlights Phillips’ growing influence in the market. With every lot sold and multiple records broken, the house has reinforced its role in New York’s top-tier sales. The $1.85 billion combined total for the season also reflects broader confidence among buyers.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Cyprus, Kuwait Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Upcoming Ministerial Meeting
- Inspired & Paddy Power Extend Virtual Sports Partnership for UK & Ireland Retail
- South West & South East England: Check & Object to Lorry Operator Licensing Now
