De Kooning’s $75 Million May

Willem De Kooning
Willem de Kooning at his studio in Long Island, New York, 1967. Photo: Robert R. McElroy/Getty Images
Marion Maneker
June 16, 2026

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The art market is in the middle of a strange moment: Money is pouring back into high-value, name-brand art while the market itself remains patient, and maybe cautious. The money is there and waiting to be spent, but buyers seem to be in no hurry, confident that the right work will eventually come along. The result is a market that can seem dull or disappointing, even as some records are set and an undeniable momentum builds.