The second highest lot of the evening, equally vivid in palette, was Picasso's late period Femme au chapeau from 1971 which fetched $7,754,500. This iconic portrait was hand-selected by Picasso for inclusion in his second solo exhibition at the Palais des Papes in Avignon, France and had been a centerpiece in the private collection of the artist and Oscarnominated film director Julian Schnabel since 1989.

Works of high quality and prestigious provenance performed exceptionally well. In keeping with Christie’s recent strong sales for Alberto Giacometti’s sculptures – including a world auction record set in May 2008 for Grande femme debout II – the artist's Buste de Diego (Stele III), a rare full-size bronze bust balanced on a tall, narrow plinth, sold for $7,698,500. This work was fresh to the market, having been acquired by the Gimbel family in 1959, the year after it was cast. The two other works offered from this collection also performed well. Matisse’s Nu à la serviette blanche, an early figure painting that captures the artist at a moment of bold innovation fetched $3,218,500, along with a unique study by Joan Miró.