$72,840,000

Mark Rothko's White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose), from the collection of David Rockefeller, sold at the Sotheby's spring evening sale of contemporary art. The work sold for $72,840,000, almost twice the expected price, and apparently had five bidders competing. This sets a new record for contemporary art and for a Rothko. That is a stunning amount of money and most likely seals the deal that I will never own a painting by one of my favorite artists.

I do hope it goes to a public collection or I at least get invited to a party at the home of the new owners. Which begs another question, would someone who could spend this much on a painting have a fun party?