The painting brought $3.8 million, just under its low estimate of $4 million.
The painting brought him international repute but little personal satisfaction.
However, his paintings rapidly brought him to the attention of art collectors outside China.
Christie's estimates the painting will bring more than $4 million.
He uses this series to break the normal aesthetic that painting can bring.
The one painting that sold, a Degas, brought $2.2 million.
The painting had brought $3.5 million at Christie's in 1990.
The paintings you bring back retain so much more in memories and association than photographs.
As usual, the important paintings brought hefty prices last week.
Two paintings, one large and one small, bring his experiences to life.