Masters of Modern

Christie’s recent sale of modern American art achieved over $14 million

The April 17 Modern American Art sale at Christie’s in New York is proof that the market for fresh, modern works is going strong, reaching $14.2 million in total sales with 84 percent sold by lot. Works by women artists were particularly strong, with Georgia O’Keeffe’s Red Canna (est. $1/1.5 million) securing the top lot in the sale when it sold for a massive $2.8 million. In addition, Doris Emrick Lee’s Butterfly Catchers shattered its $30,000 high estimate when it achieved $289,800, and Henrietta Shore’s White Radiance reached $277,000 against an estimate of $40,000.

Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), Red Canna, 1919. Oil on board, 12 x 8¾ in., signed with initials on verso: ‘OK’. Estimate: $1/1.5 million SOLD: $2,833,000

“We saw vibrant bidding energy throughout the sale, with some lots having anywhere from five up to 11 unique bidders flooding in from all channels—paddles in the room, on the telephones and from online,” says Quincie Dixon, head of sale. “Modern American art continues to be a lively and growing market especially for women artists, who collectively sold with an average of almost 700 percent of their low estimates. We continue to see growth in the number of bidders year over year with 30 percent more bidders in our 2025 sale than in 2024 and a growing number of younger bidders.

Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000), Flower Woman, 1948. Tempera on board, 20 x 24 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘Jacob Lawrence 48’. Estimate: $2/3 million SOLD: $2,228,000

Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), Landscape—Lake George, N.Y., 1922. Oil on canvas, 7 x 20 in. Estimate: $1/1.5 million SOLD: $1,134,000

Another major highlight was a 1948 painting by Jacob Lawrence titled Flower Woman, which sold for $2,228,000 against a $2 million estimate. “Our Modern American Art auction is the only platform of its kind in the world, so it attracts the finest and most historically important works of American art to the market, especially masters like Jacob Lawrence and Georgia O’Keeffe,” says Dixon. “Lawrence’s Flower Woman represents the culturally resonant subjects in tempera that the artist is known for, while O’Keeffe’s Red Canna similarly typifies her most iconic floral subjects and was indeed part of the first ever flower series she executed, making it rare and important. Significant works such as these garner the proper attention thanks to their extraordinary quality, and the work we do to position them as leading lots of our dedicated auctions of important American art.”

Marvin Cone (1891-1964), Hill Farms, 1936. Oil on canvas, 24 x 30 in., signed lower left: ‘Marvin/Cone’; signed and dated ‘1936’ and inscribed with title (on the stretcher). Estimate: $150/250,000 SOLD: $403,200

Other artists whose work saw successful results in the spring sale include Thomas Hart Benton, Charles Ephraim Burchfield, Marvin Cone, Stuart Davis, Milton Avery and more.

For a complete list of all upcoming auctions at Christie’s, visit www.christies.com/en/calendar. —

Top 10 LOTS
Christie’s Modern American Art sale, April 17, 2025 (including Buyer’s Premium)
Artist Title Low/High ESt. SOLD
Georgia O’Keeffe Red Canna $1/1.5 million $2.8 million
Jacob Lawrence Flower Woman $2/3 million $2.2 million
Georgia O’Keeffe Landscape - Lake George, NY $1/1.5 million $1.1 million
Thomas Hart Benton The Chute, Buffalo River… $120/180,000 $529,200
Thomas Hart Benton Conversation $500/700,000 $453,600
Marvin Cone Hill Farms $150/250,000 $403,200
Oscar Bluemner Farmyard $300/500,000 $403,200
Charles Burchfield The Promise of Spring $120/180,000 $315,000
Armin Hansen The Lonesome Salmon Trawler $70/100,000 $302,400
Doris Emrick Lee Butterfly Catchers $20/30,000 $289,800