And just like that a new auction record is set for Piet Mondrian with ‘Composition No. II’ from 1930 selling for $51 million. The star lot from tonight’s Modern Evening Auction, Mondrian’s masterpiece was painted at the high point of his career and possesses the balance, harmony and “life” that drove the artist to create the most daring compositions of the twentieth century. Here is the mastery of Mondrian: the more these three paintings are observed, even in photographs, the greater the distinctions become and the more off-kilter the viewer feels. Our New Your Sale Week continues tomorrow with the Modern Day Auction beginning at 9:30AM ET, followed by Wednesday’s double-header event—The Now and Contemporary Evening Auctions and finally the Contemporary Day Auction on Thursday. Stay tuned! #SothebysNewYork