Historic Mark Rothko Painting Sparks 7-Minute Bidding Battle - Sotheby's

Lot number 20 is the exceptional early painting by Mark Rothko—Number 10 from the now infamous Betty Parsons exhibition in New York in 1950 One of 12 paintings in the exhibition visible upon entry at the bottom of the staircase and one of only three remaining in private collections from that highly significant historical show At twenty-two million dollars Twenty-four million dollars Thank you Joseph Twenty-six million dollars Against you Twenty-eight million dollars With Boris Connors at twenty-eight million dollars Next up is $30 million At twenty-eight million dollars Thirty million dollars Ahead of you with Fusako at $30 million I'm seeking 32 million dollars Thank you Boris $32 million Several phones at $32 million Against you now Fusako You can go in twos That 's okay $34 $35 should be the bid but I'll take $34 $36 is against you I said no here so I'm going to say it again I'm looking for thirty-six dollars We'll go in pairs $36 and a new place with Wendy Lynn $38 comes next $38 with you Jasmine With Jasmine Presetio at $38 million Forty million dollars with Wendy At forty million dollars This rare multi-panel work by Mark Rothko We need two more from that legendary Betty Parsons in private hands Previously in the collection of the gallerist Jan Krugier At forty million dollars Forty-two million dollars New location with Max Moore There might be some activity on this side Joseph are we still in At forty-two million dollars Forty-four million dollars Thank you Could we please change the table Go in twos Would you like $46 million Thank you very much $46 million is now on this side Against you Fusako Against you Boris Forty-eight million dollars Welcome back Fusako Max would you like $50 It's $48 on this side With you Fusako $48 million Not yours Wendy Jasmine I love fifty dollars I think everyone else in the room would also appreciate $50 Thank you so much Jasmine $50 million Using Jasmine Presetio's telephone On this side against you Against you Joseph Against you Max Against you Wendy Fusako Fifty million dollars With Jasmine Fifty-two million dollars Back with Wendy Lynn Not yours on this side $52 million This significant early Rothko Marked the transition from his surrealist fine paintings into his full abstraction Extremely rare To appear at all Fifty-two million dollars With Wendy Lynn Max are we still in Joseph Fusako Wendy Ly Fifty-two million dollars With Wendy Lynn Not yours Joseph Not yours Max Not yours Fusako And it's not yours Jasmine Giving you fair warning We're at 52 million Hong Kong dollars Thank you Max $54 million Wendy That's 54 million Should we say 56 You too Fusako 54 against you On this side Opportunity won't knock twice With Max Maud's phone then If we're certain Wendy give me a signal Fusako give me a signal Otherwise I'm selling on this side If we're certain Last chance Fair warning You're in the room too Fusako Hammer's up And selling Max Maud's telephone 54 million Hong Kong dollars Congratulations Many congratulations 6667