Sales of contemporary paintings at Sotheby's and Christie's in New York on November 19 and 20, 1996 were only satisfactory according to specialists. At Christie's, 53 of the 61 lots offered for sale were sold with a total turnover of 33,92 million US $. Meanwhile, results at Sotheby's were less encouraging with 42 lots sold out of 59 with a turnover of 11,2 million US $. A Willem de Kooning, «Woman », was sold for 14,2 million
US $ against an estimate of 8-10 million dollars at Christie's.
It came from the Boris Leavitt collection and was the most expensive piece of contemporary art sold for the past six years.
The painting had been bought for about 2000 US $ in 1952.
Again at Christie's, Philip Guston's «Beggar's Boy», was sold for 1,55 million dollars against an estimate of 900,000-1,2 million. This was a major work by the artist.
A painting by Roy Lichtenstein, «Tex», went for 3,6 million dollars against an estimate of 2,5-3,5 million dollars. Painted in 1962, this work was not really considered as a major piece and had been on the market for a certain number of years. Meanwhile, Sotheby's sold a Cy Twombly painting, «Bolsena», for 1,3 million dollars against a 1-1,5 million dollar estimate. Contemporary paintings fared somewhat better in London where Christie's offered 59 paintings and sculptures for sale on December 4th 1996. The total turnover reached £ 6,7 million (US $ 10,7 million) for 41 lots sold including a painting by Francis Bacon, «Seated Figure», which went for £ 1,4 million (US $ 2,2 million).
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