A Bacon Goes Unsold As Art Market Shows Flickers Of Life

“In a bumpy sale of contemporary art at Christie’s on Wednesday, some paintings, drawings and sculptures were eagerly sought, but there were also big disappointments as the art market struggled to adjust to today’s financial climate. What was expected to be the star — a 1964 self-portrait by Francis Bacon that was estimated at $40 million — went unsold without so much as a bid. But other works brought prices that surprised even Christie’s executives.”