Discover the art world’s latest sensation as Christie’s unveils a never-before-seen diptych by the late American painter Brice Marden at its May auction in New York. A potential record-breaker, this piece promises to redefine Marden’s commercial legacy.
In New York’s vibrant art scene, Christie’s auction house will unveil a hidden gem this May that could set the art world on fire. The piece in question? A previously unseen diptych by Brice Marden, an American painter who left an indelible mark on the art world before passing away in 2023 at the age of 84.
Early inspirations
Marden, born Nicholas Brice Marden Jr. was first introduced to painting by a neighbor in 1938 in Bronxville, just a stone’s throw from Manhattan. This early encounter set him on the path to becoming an artist himself. After high school, he refined his craft at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and later at Yale University, where he studied alongside such notable figures as Richard Serra and Chuck Close. Marden’s journey took him from the classrooms of Yale to the historic halls of the Louvre in Paris, where he immersed himself in the study of art history.
A varied career
Marden’s career was a tapestry of varied experiences. He was once an assistant to Robert Rauschenberg and spent a lot of time in Greece, where he drew inspiration from ancient culture. His early work was characterized by monochrome canvases, but he later embraced more complex styles, including paintings inspired by East Asian calligraphy. Known for its intricate lines and vibrant colors, Marden’s art found its way into major international exhibitions and the collections of art lovers around the world.
His first major sale surpassed the $1 million mark in the early 2000s, and in 2010 his work “Cold Mountain I (Path)” fetched more than $9 million at auction. But it was his painting ‘Complements’ that set his current record in 2020, selling for almost $31 million.


A new chapter
Now Christie’s is about to turn a new page in Marden’s legendary career with the auction of ‘Event’, a diptych created between 2004 and 2007. This piece, estimated to fetch between $30 and $50 million, has never been loaned for an exhibition, making its auction a historic event. If it reaches even the lower end of the estimated value, it will set a new record for Marden’s work.
Marden’s art continues to captivate and inspire, proving that his legacy is as vibrant as the paintings he left behind. As the art community awaits the auction, one thing is clear: Brice Marden’s influence on contemporary art is both profound and lasting.
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