Over the course of one week in February, bidders at a Sotheby’s auction competed to buy a rare work of art.
“Executed December 25, 2017, this work is unique from a series of 100,” read the description on the auction site, which estimated its value at US$500,000 to US$700,000. Participants submitted their bids in secret, with Sotheby’s providing them with little information—only informing them if someone else bid higher, presenting them with the opportunity to up their offers. Only the seller and winning bidder know the final price.