Jackson Pollock painting sells for record $181m at Christie’s in New York
A Jackson Pollock painting has set a new auction record by selling for $181.2 million at Christie's in New York. This sale makes Number 7A, 1948 the fourth most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. The previous record for a Pollock painting was $61.2 million, achieved in 2021.
- ▪Number 7A, 1948 sold for $181.2 million at Christie's in New York.
- ▪This painting is now the fourth most expensive work ever sold at auction.
- ▪The previous auction record for Pollock was $61.2 million, set in 2021.
3 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 8 hours. All of the coverage we found sits in one bucket: centre. That one-sidedness is itself worth noticing.
- ▪ Jackson Pollock painting sells for record $181m at auction — BBC News
- ▪ Jackson Pollock work sells for $181 million — Straits Times — World
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| Original publisher | the Guardian |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/may/19/jackson-pollock-painting-sells-for-record-181m-christies-new-york-auction |
| Publication time | Tue, 19 May 2026 14:08:55 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-19T14:20:51.509Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Number 7A, 1948, by Jackson Pollock. Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/ReutersView image in fullscreenNumber 7A, 1948, by Jackson Pollock. Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/ReutersJackson PollockJackson Pollock painting sells for record $181m at Christie’s in New YorkAbstract expressionist’s Number 7A, 1948, becomes the fourth most expensive work ever sold at auctionAgence France-Presse in New YorkTue 19 May 2026 10.08 EDTLast modified on Tue 19 May 2026 10.09 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleA Jackson Pollock painting has sold for a record $181.2m (£135.3m) at Christie’s in New York.The sale on Monday made Number 7A, 1948 the fourth most expensive work ever sold at auction, according to ARTnews.The previous auction record for Pollock was $61.2m, set in 2021.
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