A still life by Van Gogh titled Vase aux Marguerites et Coquelicots (1890) has sold for $61.8m at Sotheby's New York.

The lot crossed the block in the Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale on November 4, which realised $422.1m - making it the biggest auction in the company's history.   

Van Gogh painted Vase aux Marguerites et Coquelicots just weeks before he died

It was executed at the home of Dr Gachet, the physician who treated Van Gogh in the last months of his life and the subject of one of his most celebrated paintings - Portrait of Dr Gachet, which made a record $82.5m in New York in 1990.

The present lot was painted in June 1890, just weeks before Van Gogh died.

Simon Shaw, joint head of Sotheby's impressionist & modern art department, commented prior to the sale: "Still Life, Vase with Daisies and Poppies radiates the exuberance and passion found in Van Gogh's greatest and most coveted works.

"The vibrant composition captures in sharp relief the intensity of the artist at the height of his mania, only weeks before his tragic end.

"Still Life has remained in the same private collection for more than two decades, which adds again to its appeal for today's market."

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