Art News. Vasari Codex

trending_up market schedule Jul 12, 2025 visibility 20 link 20 artists, 2 galleries

venus over manhattan closing adam lindemann 2665314

Adam Lindemann announces the closure of Venus Over Manhattan, the gallery he founded in 2012 after a career as a contemporary art collector and writer. The gallery opened with a show titled "À Rebours," inspired by a novel about a decadent aristocrat, and featured works by Warhol, Hammons, and others—a show that famously saw a Dalí stolen from the wall. Over its 14-year run, Venus Over Manhattan mounted exhibitions including a Maurizio Cattelan show during a market lull, a Calder installation with spotlights and fans, and a show mixing African masterpieces with works by Koons, Prince, and Hirst. Lindemann reflects on the challenges of opening a gallery against advice, the theft that made international news, and the quiet validation he received from artists like David Hammons.

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trending_up market schedule May 7, 2025 visibility 13 link 22 artists, 3 galleries

consignors revealed new york auctions may 2025 2637611

The article reports on the upcoming May 2025 marquee auctions in New York at Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips, which carry a combined low estimate of about $1.2 billion—similar to last year. However, the market faces headwinds from U.S. trade wars, stock market volatility, high interest rates, and ongoing global conflicts. Major consignors include estates (Len Riggio, Anne Bass), living patrons (Tiqui Atencio, Norman Braman), dealers (Daniella Luxembourg, Barbara Gladstone, Enrico Navara), and institutions (SFMOMA, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Phillips Collection). Notable lots include Sheldon Solow’s $70 million Alberto Giacometti at Sotheby’s and Riggio’s $50 million Mondrian at Christie’s. Collector Peter M. Brant is revealed as the seller of Basquiat’s Baby Boom (1982) and a John Currin painting at Christie’s.

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trending_up market schedule May 19, 2025 visibility 19 link 23 artists

christies 21st century auction may 2025 marlene dumas 1234742219

Christie's 21st century evening sale on May 14, 2025, generated $96.4 million against a presale low estimate of $79.5 million, with 39 lots offered and a sell-through rate of 90% before withdrawals. The top lot was Jean-Michel Basquiat's 'Baby Boom' (1982), which sold for $23.4 million with fees, consigned by collector Peter M. Brant. Marlene Dumas's 'Miss January' (1997) achieved $13.6 million, setting a new record for the most expensive living female artist, surpassing Jenny Saville's previous record. Other notable sales included Simone Leigh's 'Sentinel' (2020) at $5.7 million, while works by Ellsworth Kelly and Felix Gonzalez-Torres failed to sell.

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trending_up market schedule May 16, 2025 visibility 14 link 19 artists

mondrian christies riggio 2643516

Christie’s marquee auction on Monday night in New York generated $488.8 million in total sales, led by Piet Mondrian’s 1922 painting *Composition with Large Red Plane, Bluish Gray, Yellow, Black and Blue*, which sold for $47.6 million—just shy of the artist’s $51 million auction record. The sale featured the Leonard & Louise Riggio collection, the largest single collection of the season, comprising 39 works estimated at $252–326 million; after one withdrawal and one unsold lot, the group achieved $271.9 million. Many high-profile lots, including works by Alberto Giacometti, René Magritte, Barbara Hepworth, Gerhard Richter, Mark Rothko, and Andy Warhol, sold on single bids to third-party guarantors, reflecting a cautious market.

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article policy schedule May 2, 2025 visibility 14 link 6 artists, 2 galleries

joe chialo resigns as berlins culture senator creative australia funding questioned napoleon sword heading to auction 1234740443

Berlin's culture senator, Joe Chialo, has resigned due to a dispute over deep budget cuts to the city's arts sector. He stated that the planned cuts would force the closure of nationally renowned cultural institutions, and he stepped down to allow for new perspectives. Meanwhile, Australia's center-right Liberal-National Coalition has proposed cutting over 10 percent of funding to Creative Australia, the body that organizes the country's Venice Biennale pavilion, redirecting the money to support Jewish arts and broadcasting in Melbourne. This follows controversy over Creative Australia's decision to drop artist Khaled Sabsabi as Australia's Venice Biennale representative.

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trending_up market schedule Mar 6, 2026 visibility 33 link 25 artists, 1 gallery

London Saw Few Auction Shakeups as Guarantees Steadied the Market

Christie’s marquee evening sales in London achieved a combined total of £197.5 million ($263.8 million), characterized by a steady, prearranged atmosphere rather than high-stakes drama. The auction house relied heavily on financial safety nets, with a 52 percent year-over-year increase in third-party guarantees ensuring the sale of 21 key lots. While the event featured a theatrical unveiling of a new rostrum designed by Sir Jony Ive, the actual bidding remained largely conservative and focused on blue-chip stability.

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trending_up market schedule Nov 20, 2025 visibility 18 link 16 artists, 1 gallery

Christie’s Holds Its Nerve Mid-Marathon as the 21st Century Evening Sale Secures a Steady $123.6 Million

Christie's 21st Century Evening Sale on November 20 achieved $123.6 million across 45 lots, with a 98% sell-through rate. The top lot was Andy Warhol's *The Last Supper*, selling for $8.1 million with fees, while works from the collection of Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson brought in $49.2 million. The sale included strong results for Christopher Wool, Cindy Sherman, and Diego Giacometti, though it lacked the record-breaking fireworks of earlier sessions.

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trending_up market schedule Jan 1, 2026 visibility 13 link 3 artists

christies h1 2025 auction sales report 1234747544

Christie’s announced a projected sales total of $2.1 billion for the first half of 2025, matching its H1-2024 figure. While art categories like Impressionist, modern, and Old Masters saw modest growth—Old Masters sales rose 15% to $55 million—luxury categories (handbags, watches, cars, jewelry) surged nearly 30% to $468 million, now accounting for 22% of the total. Notable sales included René Magritte’s *La reconnaissance infinite* (1933) for £10.3 million and Piet Mondrian’s *Composition with Large Red Plane, Bluish Grey, Yellow, Black, and Blue* (1922) for $46.7 million. Guaranteed lots remained low at 1.5%, and the sell-through rate held steady at 88%.

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trending_up market schedule May 16, 2025 visibility 11 link 5 artists

len riggios mondrian christies auction 2641657

A 1922 painting by Piet Mondrian, *Composition with Large Red Plane, Bluish Gray, Yellow, Black and Blue*, sold at Christie’s New York for $47.6 million, falling short of its $50 million-plus estimate and the artist’s auction record of $51 million set in 2022. The work was the highlight of the “Leonard & Louise Riggio: Collected Works” sale, a 39-lot trove from the late Barnes & Noble founder and Dia Art Foundation chairman, estimated at up to $326 million. The painting sold to a single phone bidder, likely the guarantor, with no room action.

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trending_up market schedule May 29, 2025 visibility 11 link 7 artists, 2 galleries

3 key insights from the art business conference new york 2649146

The sixth edition of the Art Business Conference took place in Midtown Manhattan on May 22, drawing over 200 art professionals including gallery staff, auction-house specialists, and lawyers. Chaired by former Artnet executive editor Julia Halperin and founded by Louise Hamlin, the event featured keynotes and panels addressing the state of the art market, legal challenges, and the impact of tariffs. Christie’s CEO Bonnie Brennan reported a $700 million haul from recent auctions, noting a thin top end but strong activity for female Surrealists and Simone Leigh sculptures. Advisors Megan Fox Kelly and Alex Glauber described the market as 'recalibrating' rather than in crisis, with buyers showing increased selectivity.

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trending_up market schedule Nov 24, 2025 visibility 20 link 13 artists

art auction new york record breaking

Gustav Klimt's *Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer* (1914-16) sold for $236.4 million at Sotheby's on November 18, becoming the second-most expensive painting ever sold at auction and the most expensive work ever sold by the house. The sale was part of New York's marquee November auctions, which generated over $2 billion in a single week—more than 50 percent above last year's total—driven by high-profile estates including that of cosmetics heir Leonard A. Lauder. Other notable sales included Mark Rothko's *No. 31 (Yellow Stripe)* for $62.2 million at Christie's, Marc Chagall's *Le songe du Roi David* for $26.5 million, and Frida Kahlo's *El sueño (La cama)* for $55 million, setting a new record for the artist and the highest sum for a work by a female artist at auction. Phillips also sold a juvenile Triceratops skeleton named CERA for $5.4 million.

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trending_up market schedule Dec 15, 2025 visibility 10 link 3 artists

alex rotter christies private auctions market rebound interview 1234766803

Christie’s Global President Alex Rotter discusses the auction house’s strong November sales, which brought in $690 million across two evening sales in New York, with sell-through rates exceeding 96%. In an interview with ARTnews, Rotter attributes the rebound to restored confidence rather than a sudden influx of money, noting that he sensed a turning point as early as September through subtle improvements in mid-season sell-through rates. He also addresses Christie’s growing use of private auctions, which he describes as "basically a private sale, just with competition."

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trending_up market schedule Nov 20, 2025 visibility 29 link 21 artists

christies 21st century evening sale totals november 2025 1234762509

Christie's 21st-century evening sale on Wednesday, November 2025, achieved a hammer total of $99.7 million on 44 lots, within the pre-sale estimate of $87.5–$127 million. With fees, the final total reached $123.6 million. The sale opened with 18 lots from the collection of Chicago philanthropists Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson, featuring works by Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann, and Diego Giacometti. A Giacometti coffee table sparked a seven-minute bidding war, selling for $4.53 million. Three artist records were set: Firelei Báez ($1.1 million), Olga de Amaral ($3.1 million), and Joan Brown ($596,500). Only one work, by Cecily Brown, failed to sell.

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trending_up market schedule Nov 18, 2025 visibility 18 link 18 artists

christies marquee fall 20th century evening sale report 1234762038

Christie’s fall marquee 20th-century evening sales on Monday night generated a combined $690 million across two auctions, far exceeding the pre-sale low estimate of $534.7 million. The first sale featured 18 lots from the collection of the late Robert and Patricia Ross Weis, including works by Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian, and Rothko, while the second 62-lot sale included pieces by Calder, Hockney, Chagall, and Giacometti. Bidding wars drove 16 lots to sell at or above their high estimates, with adviser Ralph DeLuca winning several high-profile battles, including a Matisse painting for $32.3 million and a Max Ernst sculpture for $20.2 million. The sell-through rate was 97% by value and 96% by lot, with only one withdrawn lot and three unsold works.

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trending_up market schedule May 13, 2025 visibility 16 link 17 artists

christies riggio modern art new york evening auctions 2025 1234741965

Christie’s spring marquee auctions in New York brought in a combined $489 million with fees across two evening sales: the Leonard & Louise Riggio: Collected Works sale and the 20th Century sale. The Riggio collection, featuring 39 works heavy on Surrealism, modernism, and Minimalism, achieved $272 million with buyer’s premium, led by Piet Mondrian’s Composition With Large Red Plane, Bluish Gray, Yellow, Black and Blue (1922) at $47.56 million and René Magritte’s L’empire des lumières (1949) at $34.9 million. The 20th Century sale included major canvases by Monet, Rothko, and Warhol, but the hammer total of $409 million fell below the $446 million pre-sale low estimate, indicating the auction house did not meet expectations.

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trending_up market schedule Nov 18, 2025 visibility 15 link 12 artists

christies hauls in 690 million at robust 20th century art sale led by 62 million rothko 2714467

Christie’s kicked off the fall auction season in New York with a two-part 20th-century art sale that brought in approximately $690 million, led by Mark Rothko’s *No. 31 Yellow Stripe (1958)*, which sold for $62.2 million. The evening featured 18 works from the collection of Robert F. and Patricia G. Ross Weis, totaling $218 million, followed by a 61-lot main sale that realized $471.7 million. Other top lots included Claude Monet’s *Nymphéas (1907)* at $45.4 million and a new auction record for Beauford Delaney’s *The Sage Black (1967)* at $1.5 million.

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trending_up market schedule May 16, 2025 visibility 14 link 7 artists

by the numbers christies 20th century sale totals modest 217 million 2643857

Christie’s held a doubleheader evening sale on May 12, 2025, featuring its regular 20th-century art auction and the Riggio collection. The various-owners sale achieved $216.9 million in total sales after fees, a 52% decline from the $413 million equivalent sale the previous year. The top lot was Claude Monet’s *Peupliers au bord de l’Epte, crépuscule* (1891), which sold for $42.9 million with fees. The sale had a 94% sell-through rate, with 34 of 36 lots sold and none bought in. Notable moments included a new auction record for Dorothea Tanning at $2.3 million and a strong result for Remedios Varo’s *Revelación* (1955) at $6.22 million.

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person people schedule May 2, 2025 visibility 7 link 4 artists

christies names alex rotter global president 2638660

Christie’s has promoted Alex Rotter to global president, a new role in which he will retain his existing title as global chairman of 20th- and 21st-century art. Rotter will collaborate with regional presidents and global chairmen to develop strategies for auction and private sales. He joined Christie’s in 2017 after 16 years at Sotheby’s and created the “20/21” department, which unified postwar, contemporary, and Impressionist and modern art sales. Rotter has overseen landmark sales including Jeff Koons’s *Rabbit* (1986) for $91 million, Andy Warhol’s *Shot Sage Blue Marilyn* (1964) for $195 million, and Leonardo da Vinci’s *Salvator Mundi* (ca. 1500) for $450 million.

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trending_up market schedule Nov 20, 2025 visibility 21 link 20 artists

Art market bounce back continues in New York with Christie's $123.5m 21st-century sale

Christie’s 21st-century evening sale at Rockefeller Centre in New York on 19 November achieved $99.5 million before fees ($123.5 million with fees), surpassing last November’s equivalent sale of $106.5 million with fees. The sale featured 45 lots, with only one unsold (a Cecily Brown abstract), resulting in a 2% buy-in rate. Three artist records were set for Firelei Báez, Joan Brown, and Olga de Amaral. A major highlight was the collection of Chicago collectors Gale Neeson and the late Stefan Edlis, comprising 19 lots that realized $40.3 million ($49.2 million with fees), including works by Andy Warhol, Richard Prince, and Diego Giacometti. Other notable sales included Cindy Sherman’s *Untitled Film Still #13* (1978) at $2.2 million with fees, Ed Ruscha’s *How Do You Do?* at $6.7 million with fees, and a Warhol *The Last Supper* (1986) sold to Paris dealer Frederic Larroque for $8.1 million with fees.

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trending_up market schedule Nov 12, 2025 visibility 16 link 19 artists

This month’s New York auctions could bring up to $2.3bn

New York's leading auction houses, including Sotheby's and Christie's, expect to generate between $1.7bn and $2.3bn during their November sales, driven by major consignments such as 55 works from the estate of Leonard Lauder and 37 works from the collection of Jay and Cindy Pritzker. Sotheby's, which has moved its headquarters into the former Whitney Museum's Breuer Building, leads the season with estimated sales of $863m to $1.175bn, featuring Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (estimated at $150m) and Frida Kahlo's El Sueño (La Cama) (estimated at $40m-$60m).

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trending_up market schedule May 14, 2025 visibility 12 link 16 artists, 1 gallery

Marlene Dumas’s $13.6m semi-nude breaks auction record for a living female artist

Christie's 21st century evening sale on Wednesday achieved $79 million ($96.5 million with fees), falling within revised estimates but below original projections and prior sale totals. The standout lot was Marlene Dumas's 1997 painting *Miss January*, which sold for $13.6 million with fees, setting a new auction record for any living female artist. The sale saw three of four records set for women artists, including Simone Leigh, Emma McIntyre, and Louis Fratino, though bidding was subdued overall with heavy reliance on third-party guarantees.

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trending_up market schedule May 12, 2025 visibility 10 link 8 artists

A young Richter’s painting of an even younger Polke and a once-grimy Brazilian landscape by Frans Post: our pick of the May auctions

The article previews five major lots coming to auction in New York in May 2025, spanning Phillips, Sotheby's, Christie's, and Bonhams. Highlights include Gerhard Richter's 'Mann mit zwei Kindern' (1966), a portrait of Sigmar Polke estimated at $4–6 million; Frans Post's 'View of Olinda with Ruins of the Jesuit Church' (1666), estimated at $6–8 million and expected to break the artist's record; Andy Warhol's 'Big Electric Chair' (1967–68), estimated around $30 million; and Fernando Botero's 'The Bed' (1982), estimated at $700,000–$1 million. Each work is making its auction debut or is a rare market appearance.

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trending_up market schedule Nov 18, 2025 visibility 13 link 9 artists

kurt cobain nirvana guitar christies 1234762094

A 1969 Fender Competition Mustang guitar owned by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain is being auctioned by Christie's in March, with an estimated price of $2.5–$5 million. The guitar was used on the albums *Nevermind* and *In Utero*, as well as in the music video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and numerous live performances. It is part of the Jim Irsay Collection, assembled by the late Indianapolis Colts owner, which includes instruments from John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and others.

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person people schedule Nov 6, 2025 visibility 12 link 5 artists

sara friedlander christies chairman post war contemporary art 1234760436

Sara Friedlander has been named chairman of Post-War & Contemporary Art for the Americas at Christie's. In an interview, she discusses her philosophy of prioritizing client relationships and the art itself over market speculation, criticizing the trend of 'wet paint' sales that inflate young artists' prices. She has overseen major private collection sales including the Edlis | Neeson Collection, which will anchor Christie's 21st Century Sale, and has set records for artists like Ernie Barnes and Joan Mitchell.

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person people schedule Sep 15, 2025 visibility 12 link 4 artists

max carter christies chairman 20th and 21st century art americas 1234751897

Christie’s has appointed Max Carter as chairman of 20th and 21st Century art for the Americas. Carter, a Canadian-American writer and art specialist who joined the auction house in 2007, previously led the Impressionist and modern art department in the Americas from 2017 to 2022. He has overseen major collection consignments from Anne Bass, Paul Allen, S.I. Newhouse, Mica Ertegun, Robert F. Weis and Patricia G. Ross Weis, and Elaine Wynn, and has achieved record prices for artists like Ed Ruscha and Henri Rousseau. Carter will report to Christie’s global president and succeeds in the role as the auction house prepares for its marquee November sales in New York.

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trending_up market schedule Nov 19, 2025 visibility 10 link 10 artists

alexander calder painted wood mobile christies 2701566

Alexander Calder's painted wood mobile "Painted Wood" (ca. 1943) sold for $20.4 million at Christie's 20th-century evening sale in New York, exceeding its $15–$20 million estimate. The work, from the collection of Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, was acquired over 30 years ago and made its auction debut. Bidding was competitive among Christie's staffers Alex Rotter, Max Carter, and Patrick Saich, with Saich winning the lot for a client after a brief technical hiccup. The result is the second-highest price ever for a Calder at auction, behind "Poisson volant (Flying Fish)" (1957) which sold for $25.9 million in 2014.

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trending_up market schedule May 19, 2025 visibility 17 link 16 artists

at christies 13 6 million marlene dumas painting sets new record for living female artist at auction 2644908

Christie's 21st-century evening sale in New York on Wednesday night totaled $96.5 million, surpassing last year's $80.3 million, though the auction was characterized by caution, few fireworks, and a reduced number of lots. The headline event was Marlene Dumas's painting *Miss January* (1997) selling for $13.6 million with premium, setting a new auction record for a living female artist. The work, estimated at $12–18 million, was guaranteed and sold to a client bidding through Christie's deputy chairman Sara Friedlander; Miami collectors Don and Mera Rubell were the consignors. Other notable results included new records for Simone Leigh, Emma McIntyre, and Louis Fratino, while the top lot was Jean-Michel Basquiat's *Baby Boom* (1982) at $23.4 million. Four of 43 lots were withdrawn, and several works failed to sell, including an Ellsworth Kelly canvas with a $2 million low estimate.

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person people schedule Nov 6, 2025 visibility 17 link 7 artists

Sara Friedlander Appointed Chairman, Post-War & Contemporary Art, Americas - Christie's

Christie's has promoted Sara Friedlander to chairman of Post-War and Contemporary Art for the Americas, as announced by Global President Alex Rotter. Friedlander, a specialist and dealmaker with nearly 20 years at the auction house, will focus on works from the last 50 years. She has brought major collections to market, including the Kawamura Memorial DIC Museum of Art and the Edlis | Neeson Collection, and has achieved world-record prices for artists such as Joan Mitchell, Alice Neel, Ernie Barnes, Dorothea Tanning, and Marlene Dumas.

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person people schedule May 1, 2025 visibility 8 link 5 artists

Christie’s names new global president

Christie’s has appointed Alex Rotter as its new global president, marking another leadership change at the auction house. Rotter, who previously led the 20th- and 21st-century art department, will retain those responsibilities while developing strategies for auction and private sales. He joined Christie’s in 2017 and oversaw record-breaking sales including Jeff Koons’s *Rabbit* ($91.1m), Andy Warhol’s *Shot Sage Blue Marilyn* ($195m), and the *Salvator Mundi* attributed to Leonardo da Vinci ($450.3m). The appointment was made by CEO Bonnie Brennan, who succeeded Guillaume Cerutti earlier this year.

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trending_up market schedule May 7, 2025 visibility 4 link 1 artist

art market minute may 5 2639801 2639801

The article reports that at the 100-day mark of Trump's second presidency, his economic policies—particularly tariffs—are disrupting the art world. While artworks remain exempt, antiques and design objects are not, causing concern for dealers, including those preparing for Tefaf New York. Changes to de minimis rules have lowered the customs processing threshold from $2,500 to $800, triggering widespread shipping delays. Additionally, Frieze has been sold to Hollywood powerbroker Ari Emanuel, and auction veteran Alex Rotter has been tapped as Christie's new global president.

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