"Es ist nur die Frage: Bist du reich genug oder nicht?"

A Christie's auction in New York saw Jackson Pollock's "Number 7A" sell for approximately $181 million, contributing to a total of $1.1 billion in sales for the evening. The auction, covered by Vanity Fair and the New York Times, featured intense bidding between figures like Iwan Wirth and Alex Rotter, while names such as Jeff Bezos and Ken Griffin were speculated to be involved. Combined with sales from Sotheby's and Phillips, the week generated around $2.5 billion. Meanwhile, a separate controversy erupted in France over artist Claire Tabouret's new stained-glass windows for Notre-Dame Cathedral, with critics arguing they violate heritage protection laws. Additionally, the Fondation Beyeler faces allegations that a Cézanne watercolor in its current exhibition may be Nazi-looted art from the collection of Jewish paper wholesaler Gustav Schweitzer.

Is the art market slump over?

Ist die Flaute im Kunstmarkt vorbei?

The New York spring auctions saw explosive top prices, with Jackson Pollock's drip painting "Number 7A" (1948) selling for $181.2 million at Christie's, making it the fourth most expensive artwork ever auctioned. Christie's evening sales alone generated $1.1 billion, including $630.8 million from 16 works from the S.I. Newhouse collection. Sotheby's opened the season with a Mark Rothko from the estate of dealer Robert Mnuchin, achieving $85.8 million, while Phillips sold all 40 lots for $115 million, double the previous year. Younger artists like Joseph Yaeger also saw prices far exceed estimates.

L’actualité des maisons de ventes - juin 2026

The June 2026 auction news roundup reports a sharp slowdown in the ultra-contemporary art market, with sales of artists under 40 dropping from $306 million in 2022 to just $48 million in 2025—a 47% decline from 2024. Painting dominates 80% of this segment, but top prices remain far below pre-pandemic peaks, with Flora Yukhnovich's $1.73 million work leading. London now holds 26% of the market, ahead of New York's 24%, while Paris lags at 0.9%. Other highlights include a sale of over 150 unseen concert photographs by Patrick Ullman at Quai des Enchères, a record €10.2 million for Henry Taylor, and a €10.2 million Monet record in France at Sotheby's Paris. Ader also offers rediscovered Renaissance and Baroque works by Antonello da Messina and Rubens at Drouot.

Kiev bombardé

The Journal des Arts issue of May 15, 2026, covers multiple art-world stories: the Venice Biennale opening amid controversy, France's final adoption of a law on restitution of colonial-era looted cultural property, the new V&A East museum targeting younger audiences, tensions in Giverny where Monet's legacy does not benefit all, and the structuring of the Nabis art market.

IA et musées

This issue of Le Journal des Arts covers several major art news stories: the opening of the Venice Biennale amid a tense climate, the final adoption of a French law on the restitution of cultural property looted during colonization, the new V&A East museum targeting younger audiences, the uneven economic benefits of Monet's legacy in Giverny, and the structuring of the Nabis art market.

Rediscovered Old Master Painting Eclipses Estimate at Auction

A rediscovered portrait of Prince Rupert, long attributed to the studio of Anthony van Dyck and later to Jacob Huysmans, sold for CA$217,250 ($153,000) at Heffel Fine Art Auction House’s Spring Sale on May 21, more than double its low estimate. New research identified the work as by Peter Lely, court painter to King Charles II. The painting had belonged to the Hudson Bay Company for centuries and was part of a court-approved sale of the company’s collection following its 2024 bankruptcy. The 80-lot sale also saw a record for E.J. Hughes’s "Coastal Boats Near Sidney, BC" (1948), which sold for CA$5.7 million ($4.1 million), and strong results for Group of Seven artists Arthur Lismer, A.J. Casson, and Lawren Harris.

Giant T. Rex Fossil Could Net a Monster Price at Sotheby’s

Sotheby's New York will auction a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil named Gus on July 14, with an estimated value of $20–$30 million—the highest estimate ever placed on a dinosaur skeleton. The specimen, discovered in Harding County, South Dakota, on land owned by the late rancher Gary "Gus" Licking, is approximately 63 percent complete with 183 fossil bone elements, including a well-preserved skull and rare humeri. Excavated over three summers from 2021 to 2023, Gus is comparable in size and integrity to only two other T. rex fossils that have come to market: Stan and Sue.

Husband Found Guilty of Scheming Murder of Art Dealer Brent Sikkema

A federal jury has found Daniel Sikkema guilty of orchestrating the murder-for-hire of his estranged husband, New York art dealer Brent Sikkema. Brent Sikkema, 75, was stabbed 18 times in his Rio de Janeiro townhouse in January 2024. The hitman, Alejandro Triana Prevez, a Cuban security guard, was arrested days later and remains in prison awaiting trial. Prosecutors presented evidence including voice notes in which Daniel Sikkema allegedly threatened to become a widower, phone calls via a burner phone, and a $9,000 payment to Prevez. Daniel Sikkema was arrested in March 2024 on passport fraud charges and later charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire.

Inside the technicolour world of Jack White

Jack White, the musician best known as the frontman of The White Stripes, has begun showing his visual art, which he has been creating since his teenage years. The article offers a glimpse into his vibrant, technicolour artistic practice, marking his debut as a visual artist in the public eye.

Recensione, interviste e migliori stand della fiera d’arte contemporanea di Varsavia. Che cresce

Art Warsaw returns for its third edition, this time held in the historic Villa Róż, a former British embassy in Warsaw. The fair features 56 galleries, over 30 of which are international, and is co-founded by Joanna Witek-Lipka and Michał Kaczyński. The unconventional venue, with its blend of aristocratic luxury and Cold War-era bureaucratic spaces, is central to the fair's identity, offering an experience far removed from the typical white cube format. Galleries collaborated closely with organizers to adapt their presentations to the building's unique rooms, creating an atmosphere that balances a commercial fair with an exhibition project.

Economic growth supports the art market in Warsaw

The Warsaw art market is expanding rapidly, driven by Poland's strong economic growth (3.6% GDP in 2025). Two new art fairs have emerged: Art Warsaw (May 21–24), organized by Joanna Witek-Lipka and Michał Kaczyński, and the Hotel Warszawa Art Fair (September), organized by four galleries. These join the established Warsaw Gallery Weekend, now in its 15th year. The fairs cater to a growing collector base increasingly seeking international artists, while still featuring Polish talent. Notable participants include Ada gallery from Rome, Coulisse Gallery from Stockholm, and 52 galleries total, with booth fees ranging from €1,000 to €4,000. The venue, Villa Róż, a 19th-century palace with layered historical features, adds to the fair's appeal.

Le vol du Louvre au cinéma

The Journal des Arts issue n°677, dated May 15, 2026, covers several major art world stories: the opening of the Venice Biennale amid controversy, the final adoption of a French law on the restitution of cultural property looted during colonization, the new V&A East museum targeting younger audiences, the uneven economic impact of Monet tourism in Giverny, and the structuring of the Nabis art market. The issue also includes a feature on the Louvre theft in cinema.

Kalshi Rolls Out Prediction Markets Tied to Art Auctions

Kalshi, an online prediction market platform based in New York, launched a new category of prediction markets tied to art auction prices on May 26. The platform offers 16 contracts, including bets on whether artists like Andy Warhol and Vincent van Gogh will break their auction records, and speculation on specific lots such as Gustav Klimt's *Portrait of Gertrud Loew* (1902) at Sotheby's London. The move follows Kalshi's earlier forays into luxury watches and Pokémon cards, and comes after New York's spring auction week generated $2.1 billion in sales at Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips.

Taiwanese Pop Star Is the Buyer of $20 M. Matisse Painting at Sotheby’s

Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou revealed himself as the buyer of Henri Matisse's 1924 painting *La Séance du Matin* at Sotheby's modern art evening sale, where it sold for $20 million before fees ($21.2 million with fees). Chou, who guaranteed the work, received an $800,000 rebate and shared his emotional connection to the piece on Instagram, recalling visits to Matisse's home in Nice. The sale was part of a larger auction that also featured another Matisse, *La Chaise lorraine* (ca. 1919), which sold for $48.4 million.

Trophy Buyers Drive Decorative Art Sales

Sales in the decorative-art category—including design objects, furniture, jewelry, and watches—reached approximately $3.9 billion in 2025, a 7.1% increase from 2024 but still well below the 2023 peak of $5.7 billion. The number of lots sold fell by 11.9%, yet the average price rose 21.6% to $15,247, indicating a shift toward trophy buying. A standout was François-Xavier Lalanne's 1976 Hippopotamus bar, which sold for $31.4 million at Sotheby's after a 26-minute bidding war, setting an auction record. Sotheby's led the category with $1.1 billion in sales, followed by Christie's at $1 billion and Phillips at $369.7 million. Europe remained the largest market at $1.4 billion, while North America overtook Asia for second place with $1.2 billion.

Who Won New York’s $2.1 Billion Auction Week?

New York City's spring auction week generated approximately $2.1 billion in sales across Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips, more than doubling the $1 billion total from May 2024. Christie's led with a $1.3 billion haul, driven by the $630.8 million S.I. Newhouse collection and record prices for works by Jackson Pollock ($181.2 million) and Constantin Brancusi ($107.6 million). Sotheby's netted around $737 million, including a Rothko from the Robert Mnuchin collection, while Phillips rebounded with $115.2 million in a white-glove sale, its strongest New York spring result since 2022.

Brazilian Police name alleged thief of Matisse works

Brazilian police have named Laéssio Rodrigues de Oliveira Silva as the alleged mastermind behind the December 2024 theft of thirteen artworks from the Biblioteca Mario de Andrade in São Paulo. The stolen works include eight prints by Henri Matisse from his book *Jazz* (1947) and five illustrations by Candido Portinari for *Menino de Engenho* (1959). Two suspects were initially identified, with one arrested, but police now allege Rodrigues de Oliveira Silva orchestrated the heist from prison, where he is already serving time for previous thefts of rare books and manuscripts from institutions including the National Library Foundation and the University of São Paulo. He is also suspected of ties to the PCC organized crime gang. Two alleged intermediaries and one of the two gunmen have been arrested, while the other gunman, Gabriel Pereira Rodrigues de Mello, remains at large, and the artworks have not been recovered.

Robust Sales at Sotheby’s, Phillips Suggest Art Market Upswing

The May 19 evening sales at Sotheby’s and Phillips generated a combined $419.1 million, signaling a potential recovery in the contemporary and modern art market. Sotheby’s brought in $303.9 million—60% more than the previous year—led by a record-breaking $48.4 million Matisse, while Phillips achieved $115.2 million, more than double its 2025 sales. Both auctions saw high sell-through rates, with 98% and 100% of lots sold respectively. Notable lots included a $42.6 million Picasso, a $29.4 million van Gogh drawing, and strong performances by female artists like Lee Bontecou, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler.

Interview with the frontier gallerist who opened his space in Vasto, Abruzzo

Intervista al gallerista di frontiera che ha aperto il suo spazio a Vasto in Abruzzo

Sangallo Fine Art, a modern art gallery located in Vasto, Abruzzo, Italy, is profiled in an interview with its founder Giorgio di Michele Marisi. The gallery, born from a chance encounter and a passion for 20th-century art, has carved out a distinctive space in the periphery of the art world. It is currently presenting the exhibition "Permanenza della materia espansa" (2026), curated by Lorenzo Madaro, which exemplifies its commitment to critical rediscovery and experimental display. Despite being geographically distant from traditional art hubs, the gallery has built a loyal clientele of knowledgeable collectors and international buyers, relying on direct relationships and participation in art fairs.

Mayberry Fine Art sees new location as blank canvas, celebrating with auction, exhibition

Mayberry Fine Art, a family-owned gallery in Winnipeg, is relocating after 23 years at 212 McDermot Ave. to a larger warehouse-style space at 661 Wall St. next month. The move is driven by the gallery's growth and the need for improved exhibition space, as the current building was originally an office and posed logistical challenges like parking and lost loading zones. To mark the transition, the gallery is hosting its Spring Fine Art Auction, running online until May 28, featuring 89 paintings and sculptures expected to fetch between $1.1 million and $1.5 million, with works by notable Canadian artists such as Alfred Casson, Arthur Lismer, and Norval Morrisseau.

World record for Carla Accardi in Contemporary Art auction at Dorothem's

Dorotheum's Contemporary Art auction in Vienna on May 20, 2026, set a new world record for Italian artist Carla Accardi, whose work *Fonda notte - Pieno giorno* (1986) sold for €520,000 to a telephone bidder. The sale also saw strong results for Martha Jungwirth (€429,000), Miriam Cahn (€195,000), and top lots including Thomas Schütte's *Vater Staat* (€520,000) and works by Mikuláš Medek (up to €546,000). International participation was robust, with particular demand for female artists and Central European figures.

Three Dinosaur Fossils Are Up for Grabs at This New York Art Gallery

Amanita, a New York art gallery, is presenting three Maiasaura dinosaur fossils alongside a John Chamberlain sculpture in an exhibition titled "Land Before Time: Three Dinosaurs and a Gondola" at its Bowery location through August 9. The fossils, sourced from Tucson-based Granada Gallery, include an 85 percent complete adolescent, a 68 percent complete adult, and a 62 percent complete juvenile—marking the first time a full Maiasaura growth cycle has been displayed. The Chamberlain piece, "Gondola Marianne Moore" (1982), was procured with help from Hauser and Wirth. Only the fossils are for sale, with prices undisclosed.

ISA Art Gallery’s Biophilia Exhibition

Deborah Iskander, founder of ISA Art Gallery in Jakarta, launched the gallery's latest exhibition titled 'Biophilia' at its location in Wisma BNI 46. The gallery, established in 2014, has focused on exhibiting women artists and diaspora Indonesian artists since 2021. The exhibition continues this curatorial direction, featuring works that explore the connection between nature and human experience.

Kiran Nadar’s Ambition to Put Indian Art On the World Stage

Kiran Nadar, one of India's most influential arts patrons, is spearheading the development of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in Delhi, set to become the largest integrated cultural center in India at over one million square feet. The museum, supported by the Shiv Nadar Foundation, will feature multiple exhibition spaces, a performing arts center, a library, an education center, and restaurants. Nadar recently appointed Manuel Rabaté, former director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, as KNMA's director. She also made headlines by purchasing M.F. Husain's record-breaking painting *Untitled (Gram Yatra)* for $13.8 million at Christie's New York. On the occasion of Nalini Malani's collateral exhibition "Of Woman Born" at the 2026 Venice Biennale, supported by KNMA, Nadar discussed her vision for putting Indian art on the world stage.

Beyond Mystics, the Northwest Contribution to Modern Art

The article profiles Kenneth Callahan, a key figure in Northwest modern art and former director of the Seattle Art Museum, who found inspiration in the coastal landscapes of the Long Beach Peninsula. It highlights his role alongside Mark Tobey, Guy Anderson, and Morris Graves—collectively known as "The Big Four"—in establishing the value of Northwest art. The piece also announces a current exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum titled "Beyond Mysticism—The Modern Northwest," which features Callahan prominently alongside major American artists such as Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, and Helen Frankenthaler, and runs through August 2.

From an Artist to His Dealer

D’un artiste à son marchand

A new book titled "Miró-Loeb. Correspondance. 1926-1936" has been published by Éditions Norma, presenting the previously unpublished correspondence between Spanish painter Joan Miró and his Parisian dealer Pierre Loeb from 1926 to 1936. The volume includes photographs, reproductions of artworks, an illustrated record of Miró's exhibitions at Galerie Pierre, a prologue by art historian Joan Punyet Miró (the artist's grandson), and contributions from Albert Loeb (Pierre's son) and Sonia Loeb (his granddaughter), contextualizing a decade of exchanges amid cultural ferment and rising tensions. The book also features sparser letters from 1945 until Loeb's death in 1963, tracing the evolution of their relationship.

Fraudster trying to sell fake ancient statues to Sotheby’s foiled over bogus invoices

A fraudster named Andrew Crowley, 46, attempted to sell fake ancient statues to Sotheby's, claiming they were inherited from his grandfather. The items—three Cycladic figures and one Anatolian stargazer statuette—were valued at up to £680,000 if genuine. However, the scheme unraveled when forensic analysis revealed that the accompanying invoices, purportedly typed in 1976, were produced using printing methods invented in 2001. Sotheby's experts also spotted spelling errors. Crowley received a two-year suspended sentence after admitting to making a false representation to the auction house.

A world record for Lena Cronqvist and several million-plus sales at Stockholms Auktionsverk’s spring art auctions

Stockholms Auktionsverk's spring auctions, The Modern Art Sale and The Contemporary Art Sale, achieved strong results including a world record for Lena Cronqvist's sculpture "Flicka med flätor och parasoll", which sold for nearly SEK 1.9 million. Other top sales included Andy Warhol's "Queen Elizabeth II" at SEK 2.5 million, Jean-Paul Riopelle's "Arthur" at SEK 1,875,000, and Warhol's triptych "Ingrid Bergman" at SEK 1.25 million. Karin Parrow also set a new personal record with "Kappseglingsdag" selling for SEK 231,250.

This Family Made Gin on Zoom During Covid. Here’s How It Became an Art World Staple.

During the pandemic, the Mordant family—Simon, Catriona, Brielle, and Angus—began making gin from wild juniper on their Umbria property, splitting operations between Italy, London, and upstate New York. After enrolling in a master gin-making course and refining recipes via Zoom, they entered their creation into the World Gin Awards, earning a triple-gold medal with a score of 97 out of 100. Despite initially producing only 502 bottles not intended for sale, global demand prompted them to scale up commercially, leading to Quattro Gatti becoming the official gin of the Venice Biennale.

Institutional exhibitions, new records and large collections at auction. It's a boom for Indian and South Asian art

Mostre istituzionali, nuovi record e grandi collezioni in asta. È boom dell’arte indiana e dell’Asia meridionale

Christie's London will host "The Meeting Ground: Scenes from the KNMA Collection" from July 16 to August 21, 2026, featuring over 60 artists from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, with works dating from the 1950s to today. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in New Delhi and draws from the collection of Kiran Nadar, a prominent South Asian art collector. This follows a landmark auction at Sotheby's New York on March 26, 2026, where the Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art sale achieved $22.1 million, setting records for 12 artists including K.C.S. Paniker, Vivan Sundaram, and K.K. Hebbar. The sale was led by Maqbool Fida Husain's "Second Act" (1958) at $5.1 million, while his earlier record of $13.8 million for "Untitled (Gram Yatra)" was set at Christie's New York in March 2025, purchased by Nadar.