Bacon Triptych Sets New Record at Sotheby's

NEW YORK—Francis Bacon’s Triptych, 1976 set the auction record for a contemporary artwork last night at Sotheby’s, selling for a robust $86.3 million. The sprawling three-panel work was the highlight of a marathon sale full of gaudy numbers that should put to rest anxiety about a waning art market. Of the 83 lots on offer, only 10 failed to sell. Eighteen artist records were set. And Sotheby’s overall intake was $362 million, beating the presale high estimate of $356 million.

Please return to ARTINFO later in the day for a more extensive report on last night’s action.