Rothko's Auction Record Jumps 13% With $98.39m Sale

3 min read · 18 May 2026

No. 15 (Two Greens and Red Stripe). Image courtesy of Christie's

Mark Rothko, No. 15 (Two Greens and Red Stripe) (1964) sold for $98.39m, more than the low estimate at Christie's in New York on May 18. Acquired directly from the artist by Agnes Gund, the oil on canvas work had not been traded before.

The sale beat the artist’s previous auction record by $11.5m, a 13% rise.

Orange Red Yellow (1961). Sold for $86.88m in 2012. Image courtesy of Christie's

White Centre (Yellow, Pink and Lavender On Rose) (White Center) (1950). Sold for $72.84m in 2007. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Homage to Matisse (1953). Sold for $20m in 2005. Image courtesy of Christie's

No. 6 (Yellow, White, Blue Over Yellow on Gray) (1954). Sold for $17.37m in 2004. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

No. 9 (White and black on wine) (1958). Sold for $14.6m in 2003. Image courtesy of Christie's

Yellow over purple (1956). Sold for $14.31m in 2000. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

No 15 (1952). Sold for $10m in 1999. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

No. 14, 1960 (1960). Sold for $5.4m in 1997. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Black area in reds (1958). Sold for $3.3m in 1989. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Number 8 (1952). Sold for $2.5m in 1988. Image courtesy of Christie's

No. 9 (White and black on wine) (1958). Sold for $1.65m in 1983. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

No. 1 (1962). Sold for $270,000 in 1982. Image courtesy of Christie's

Orange Red Yellow (1961). Sold for $86.88m in 2012. Image courtesy of Christie's

The previous record was set by Orange Red Yellow (1961), which sold for $86.88m at Christie's on May 08, 2012. The work had been traded twice in the past.

Sale Date	Title	Price	Record Increase	Venue	City
May 18, 2026	No. 15 (Two Greens and Red Stripe)	$98.39m	13 %	Christie's	New York
May 08, 2012	Orange Red Yellow	$86.88m	19 %	Christie's	New York
May 15, 2007	White Centre (Yellow, Pink and Lavender On Rose) (White Center)	$72.84m	264 %	Sotheby's	New York
November 08, 2005	Homage to Matisse	$20m	15 %	Christie's	New York
November 09, 2004	No. 6 (Yellow, White, Blue Over Yellow on Gray)	$17.37m	19 %	Sotheby's	New York
May 14, 2003	No. 9 (White and black on wine)	$14.6m	2 %	Christie's	New York
May 17, 2000	Yellow over purple	$14.31m	43 %	Sotheby's	New York
November 17, 1999	No 15	$10m	85 %	Sotheby's	New York
November 19, 1997	No. 14, 1960	$5.4m	64 %	Sotheby's	New York
November 08, 1989	Black area in reds	$3.3m	32 %	Sotheby's	New York
November 09, 1988	Number 8	$2.5m	52 %	Christie's	New York
November 09, 1983	No. 9 (White and black on wine)	$1.65m	347 %	Sotheby's	New York
June 27, 1983	Untitled	$369,000	19 %	Christie's	London
November 11, 1982	Brown orange blue on maroon	$310,000	15 %	Christie's	New York
May 05, 1982	No. 1	$270,000	42 %	Christie's	New York
May 27, 1976	Sienna orange and black on dark brown	$190,000	73 %	Sotheby's	New York
May 01, 1974	Yellow and white	$110,000	29 %	Sotheby's	New York
November 18, 1970	No.16-1960	$85,000	-	Sotheby's	New York

Market

Exclusives

Mark Rothko

Agnes Gund

New York

Get the HENI News Daily Art Digest delivered to your inbox