The most striking sale of the mid-season auctions in New York was the tripling of the high estimate (and doubling of the artist’s record) for Mark Bradford’s Curtis. But what discerning collector was prepared to make such an aggressive bet? Surely one known for his long-standing market experience and previous successes.

Now Colin Gleadell says he knows the buyer:

The most notable was the $2.3 million (£1.4 million) paid by US philanthropist Stewart Rahr, for a 4 x 5ft felt tip pen painting, Curtis (2007) by the American artist Mark Bradford, who is represented in London by the White Cube Gallery. The price was more than three times the estimate and double the artist’s previous record.

Art market news: British artist Joe Black more than exceeds his estimated price (Telegraph)