The AP got the announcement of this Rothko that will an interesting inflection point during Christie’s New York sales in May. Priced at the most perilous part of the market right now, this work has the right dates and exhibition history but the perhaps not the most prized colors. Then, again, last May Christie’s Brett Gorvy was able to pull out a very strong sale for a dark Rothko amid a week of over supply for the Abstract Expressionist painter.

“The global interest in Rothko is enormous,” said Gorvy, adding that the work was conservatively estimated to bring up to $40 million. “What’s exciting about a painting like this coming to today’s market is that it’s not limited to one audience. Rothko’s probably the most global artist in terms of high level.”

Speaking from Hong Kong, Gorvy added: “When I talk to any of the native collectors here, they’re looking for Rothko. He’s at the top of their list of post-war artists, more than any other of the abstract expressionists.”

Update: Shortly after this announcement, Gorvy posted the image on Instagram. Bloomberg’s Katya Kazakina asked if the work was in the Rothko catalogue raisonné written by David Anfam. Gorvy replies that it is in the supplement.

Abstract Rothko painting could fetch $40M at spring auction | AP National News (Associated Press)