Modigliani Sells for a Record $69 Million in Wave of Last-Chance Fever

Sotheby’s sale of Impressionist and Modern art held on Tuesday evening, when the whole of America was focused on the midterm election, ended on a triumphant $227 million score. Bigger totals have been recorded. But none said as much about the eagerness of ever larger numbers of art buyers to lay hands on almost anything presentable or, failing that, on works of no great distinction adorned with glamorous signatures.