Ogling the Auctions: Tonight at Sotheby's...

Will Sotheby's be able to bounce back from its disappointing sale of impressionist and modern art last week and give Christie's a run for its money? We'll find out tonight when 71 pieces of post-war and contemporary art go on the block at 72nd and York. Lots to watch:

Jeff Koons
Hanging Heart
Estimate: $15 million - $20 million
Why: Christie's had Koons' enormous, gleaming blue diamond. Sotheby's has Koons' enormous, gleaming red magenta heart. The consignor(s) of both pieces bought the works directly from Gagosian Gallery, which represents the artist. Larry Gagosian bought back the diamond last night. Who, if anyone, will take to the heart?

Jeff Koons, Hanging Heart, Photo Credit: Sotheby's

Francis Bacon
Self-Portrait, Second Version of Study for Bullfight No. 1
Both estimates available only upon request
Why: The market for Bacon's work has been on an upward spiral. In May, Sotheby's set a new auction record for the artist when it sold Study from Innocent X for $52.7 million. Will buyers bid up these works, too?

Francis Bacon, Self-Portrait, Photo Credit: Sotheby's

Francis Bacon, Second Version of Study for Bullfight No. 1, Photo Credit: Sotheby's

Mark Rothko
Untitled
Estimate: $12 million - $18 million
Why: This painting looks a lot like the one that brought $10.7 million at Christie's last night. How will it compare when its turn comes tonight?

Mark Rothko, Untitled, Photo Credit: Sotheby's