The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 36 A. Andy Warhol (1928-1987)? Shot Sage Blue Marilyn? signed and dated 'Andy Warhol / 64' (on the overlap)? acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen? 40 x 40 in. (101.6 x 101.6 cm.) Painted in 1964. Price realised USD 195,040,000 (Estimate on request). © Christie’s 2022

NEW YORK – Monday, May 9, 2022 Christie’s Spring Marquee Week of sales began with the momentous sale of Shot Sage Blue Marilyn by Andy Warhol, selling for $195 million, establishing it as the most expensive 20th century artwork to sell at auction. The painting was the final lot of Christie’s single-owner evening sale The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann, which featured 36 lots and totaled $317.8 Million.

The sale was 98% sold by value, demonstrating strong demand from collectors and confidence in the market. The sale attracted participation from bidders in 29 countries, with 68% of lots selling above the high estimate. Additional highlights from the sale include record prices for six artists. Francesco Clemente’s The Fourteen Stations, No. XI, sold for three times the previous record at $1,860,000, with bids coming from at least nine bidders. Ann Craven’s I Wasn’t Sorry, 2003 achieved eight times the previous record, fetching $478,800, with competition from 15 bidders. The other records were: Mike Bidlo (three times the previous record), Mary Heilmann, Martin Disler, and Ross Bleckner.

The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 3A. Francesco Clemente (b. 1952), The Fourteen Stations, No. XI, oil and wax on linen, 78 x 93 3⁄4 in. (198 x 238.1 cm.) Painted in 1981-1982. Price realised USD 1,860,000 (Estimate 80,000 – USD 120,000). © Christie’s 2022

The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 20A. Ann Craven, I Wasn’t Sorry, 2003, signed, titled and dated 'A. Craven 1⁄03 "I Wasn't Sorry"' (on the overlap); signed, titled and dated 'Ann Craven, 2003 "I Wasn't Sorry, 2003"' (on the stretcher); signed, titled and dated 'Ann Craven, 2003 "I Wasn't Sorry, 2003"' (on the reverse), oil on canvas, 60 x 48 in. (152.4 x 121.9 cm.) Painted in 2003. Price realised USD 680,400 (Estimate 20,000 – USD 30,000). © Christie’s 2022

The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 1A. Mike Bidlo (b. 1953), Not Picasso (Bather with Beachball, 1932), signed, inscribed and dated '1932 • 1987 Bidlo' (on the reverse), oil on linen, 57 3⁄4 x 45 1⁄4 in. (146.7 x 114.9 cm.) Painted in 1987. Price realised USD 1,260,000 (Estimate 60,000 – USD 80,000). © Christie’s 2022

The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 9A. Mary Heilmann (b. 1940), The Passenger, titled and dated 'The Passenger 1983' (on the stretcher), oil on canvas, 98 x 78 in. (248.9 x 198.6 cm.) Painted in 1983. Price realised USD 945,000 (Estimate 150,000 – USD 200,000). © Christie’s 2022

The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 26A. Martin Disler (1949-1996), Preparing for Tonight, signed and dated 'disler 82' (lower right), acrylic on canvas, 77 x 113 in. (196 x 287 cm.) Painted in 1982. Price realised USD 176,400 (Estimate 20,000 – USD 30,000). © Christie’s 2022

The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 28A. Ross Bleckner (b. 1949), Untitled, signed and dated 'Ross Bleckner 1988' (on the reverse),oil on canvas,84 1⁄8 x 60 in. (213.6 x 152.4 cm.) Painted in 1988. Price realised USD 277,200 (Estimate 50,000 – USD 70,000). © Christie’s 2022

After Warhol’s Marilyn, the top lots were Cy Twombly’s Untitled, which achieved $21 million; Robert Ryman’s Untitled, which sold for $20.1 million; and Cy Twombly’s Venere Sopra Gaeta, at $16.9 million.

The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 34A. Cy Twombly (1928-2011), Untitled, signed and dated 'Cy Twombly 1955' (on the reverse), oil-based house paint, wax crayon, colored pencil and lead pencil on canvas, 50 x 57 7⁄8 in. (127 x 147 cm.). Executed in 1955. Price realised USD 21,000,000 (Estimate USD 10,000,000 – USD 15,000,000). © Christie’s 2022

The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 12A. Robert Ryman (1928-2011), Untitled, signed 'Ryman' (lower left), oil on linen, 66 1⁄2 x 66 3⁄4 in. (169 x 169.5 cm.) Painted circa 1961. Price realised USD USD 20,141,250 (Estimate USD 15,000,000 – USD 20,000,000). © Christie’s 2022

The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. Lot 7A. Cy Twombly (1928-2011), Venere Sopra Gaeta, signed with the artist's initials, inscribed and dated 'CT Oct 88 Gaeta' (upper right); titled 'Venere Sopra Gaeta' (center), acrylic, oil-based house paint, wax crayon, colored pencil and lead pencil on paper and wooden panel, in artist's frame, 99 x 76 3⁄4 in. (251.5 x 195 cm.) Executed in 1988. Price realised USD 16,992,500 (Estimate USD 10,000,000 – USD 15,000,000). © Christie’s 2022

The sale of the collection will continue on May 13 with a dedicated day sale.

Proceeds from the entire sale will be generously donated by the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation to benefit charities providing urgent medical and educational services to children. The buyer of Warhol’s Marilyn has been invited to partner with the Foundation and play an active role in fulfilling its global mission for children’s aid, with the opportunity to nominate the charities to which 20% of the work’s proceeds will be allocated, subject to the Foundation’s final approval. 

Alex Rotter, Christie’s Chairman of 20th and 21st Century Art, commented: “Tonight was a historic night for Christie’s and for the entire contemporary art market. The record-breaking sale of Warhol’s iconic portrait of Marilyn from the Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann is a testament to the strength, the vibrancy, and the overall excitement of the art market today. This sale demonstrates the pervasive power of Andy Warhol as well as the lasting legacy that he continues leave behind in the art world, popular culture, and society.” 

Marc Porter, Christie’s Chairman, commented: “For 250 years, Christie’s has proudly stewarded the greatest art objects throughout generations and tonight, we yet again made history. The funds that we have raised tonight with the sale of this exquisite collection will go directly toward improving the health and well-being of children and young adults. Philanthropic initiatives are of the utmost importance to our core values at Christie’s; we believe giving back to our global communities to be essential. It has been a true privilege and honor to work so closely with The Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation in organizing such a generous sale.”