Wednesday's auction saw four bidders battle it out for Francis Bacon's 'Second Version of Study for Bullfight No. 1' (1969), representing a swirling man and bull. The painting, one of the artist's earliest works, became the evening's most expensive lot, sold for $45.96 million.
Bidding was just as intense for Bacon's self-portrait, dated the same year, which finally went under the hammer for $33 million.
Another record was smashed by Jeff Koons and his 'Hanging Heart (Magenta/Gold)', whose 2.7-meter (9-foot) stainless steel heart hanging from a gold bow was sold for $21 million, making Koons the most expensive living artist.
The previous record belonged to Damian Hirst and his 'Lullaby Spring,' sold by the same auction house for $19.5 million this June.
"Untitled (Electric Chair)" by well-known 'graffiti' artist Jean-Michel Basquiat was bought by an unidentified telephone bidder for $10.5 million. This was more than the combined sums paid at the auction for two works - 'Four Jackies' and 'Suicide' - by his friend and mentor, Andy Warhol.