Sotheby's impressionist auction sees 'thinner' sales

New York

ONE could not help but feel that Helena Newman, the Sotheby's auctioneer on Monday night, was almost begging for a bid of more than US$50 million for Edvard Munch's 1902 painting Girls on the Bridge. Still, the room was quiet. Despite what felt like an excruciatingly long wait - during which Ms Newman delayed by sipping water - the painting attracted only a single bid.

That was from a buyer who had agreed before the auction to guarantee the sale. "I was surprised by that," Morgan Long, senior director at the Fine Art Group in London, said. "It was a good picture."