If you look at the series of world records set by art sales over the past few years, they have something in common.

There are to be no minimum bids, which is unusual in major art sales.

But on the evidence of the last three days, art sales are as healthy as ever.

He was a university professor, retiring after thirty years, and never depended in art sales to live.

At the major art sales earlier this week, bidders were more sober.

That meant contemporary art sales were dominated by American artists from 1945 to the present.

Art from 1945 to the present was sold in their contemporary art sales.

Only art from 1970 to the present will make up its contemporary art sales.

They usually profit by taking a portion of art sales; from 25% to 50% is typical.

After two lacklustre contemporary art sales, not much had changed.