Helen Frankenthaler, an iconic figure in the world of painting, emerged as one of New York’s most celebrated female artists. Born and raised on the Upper East Side, her work was initially influenced by the action painter Jackson Pollock. However, in 1952, she crafted her unique path with the development of the soak-stain technique, which was instrumental in the evolution of Color Field painting, influencing artists like Mark Rothko. The Gagosian Gallery significantly elevated Frankenthaler’s stature in 2012, taking charge of her estate right after her passing in 2011. Notably, each of her five most expensive paintings was auctioned within the last five years, all originating from the 1970s—a critical period when she favored vibrant, layered colors over negative space. As her work is currently being showcased at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, let’s explore these remarkable paintings.
5. Basin (1979)
Helen Frankenthaler, Basin (1979). Photo: Courtesy of Christie’s. Sold for $4.53 million at Christie’s New York on May 12, 2025. Initially estimated between $2 million and $3 million, Basin captures a tranquil, aqueous scene accented by a sun-like glow in the upper right corner. Its yellow, burgundy, and pink hues dazzle under the right lighting, according to Christie’s. Before its sale this spring, the painting had changed hands four times, appeared at Art Basel Miami Beach with Miles McEnery Gallery in 2017, and was auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2006 for $385,000. The top of the canvas showcases a variety of techniques, such as dragging, dripping, and pooling, distinguishing it within Frankenthaler’s body of work.
4. Carousel (1979)
Helen Frankenthaler, Carousel (1979). Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s. This piece fetched $4.74 million at Sotheby’s New York on October 28, 2020, surpassing its estimate of $2.5 million to $3.5 million. Initially, it appears dominated by red, reminiscent of Joan Mitchell’s nickname for Frankenthaler, the “Kotex painter.” However, closer inspection reveals lush greens and splashes of cerulean blue. Acquired by renowned interior designer Steve Chase in 1981 from André Emmerich Gallery, Carousel was later donated to the Palm Springs Art Museum in 1994. When the museum deaccessioned it in 2020 to fund its collection, eager collectors seized the opportunity.
3. Circe (1974)
Helen Frankenthaler, Circe (1974). Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s. This painting sold for $4.77 million at Sotheby’s New York on May 19, 2022, with an initial estimate of $2.5 million to $3.5 million. Named after the Greek goddess Circe, associated with magic and nature, Frankenthaler’s work emits a warm and radiant aura. Sotheby’s likened its composition to Claude Monet’s Impression, Sunrise and JMW Turner’s The Lake of Zug, affirming her rightful place in art history. Before its auction, Circe was owned solely by Cambridge-based academic Guido Goldman and another private collector, both through André Emmerich Gallery.
2. Dream Decision (1976)
Helen Frankenthaler, Dream Decision (1976). Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s. This work achieved a price of $5.89 million at Sotheby’s New York on November 19, 2021, surpassing its $2 million to $3 million estimate. While Frankenthaler’s art often invites interpretation, her focus was always on capturing the emotions beneath the surface. Dream Decision, with its lilac tones, exemplifies this philosophy and exudes feminine intrigue. Before this auction, the painting had never been on the market. Originally purchased from San Francisco’s John Berggruen Gallery in 1976, it was later acquired by another collector in 2004. The buyer remains anonymous, and its future public appearance is uncertain.
1. Royal Fireworks (1975)
Helen Frankenthaler, Royal Fireworks (1975). Photo: Courtesy Sotheby’s. This painting set a record, selling for $7.90 million at Sotheby’s New York on June 29, 2020, well beyond its $2 million to $3 million estimate. Previously purchased by cable television mogul Ginny Williams at Christie’s New York in 2011 for $831,600, it was auctioned after her passing in 2019. During Sotheby’s first-ever Hybrid Contemporary Evening Sale, Royal Fireworks sparked a bidding war, benefiting from the heightened collector interest during the pandemic. This sale shattered Frankenthaler’s previous auction record set by Blue Reach in 2018. No artwork has since surpassed this achievement.
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