Sotheby's has launched a new podcast series titled "The Specialist," featuring its global specialists who share behind-the-scenes stories about extraordinary artworks and objects. Each episode focuses on a specific narrative, such as the restitution of a Kandinsky painting lost in Nazi-era Germany, the rediscovery of Rubens' "The Massacre of the Innocents," the story of the shredded Banksy artwork "Love is in the Bin," and the decade-long attribution project for a Vermeer painting. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The podcast matters because it offers listeners an insider's perspective on the art world's most compelling stories, blending art history, market dynamics, and personal narratives from Sotheby's top specialists. By highlighting restitution, rediscovery, and market milestones, the series underscores the auction house's role as a custodian of cultural heritage and a driver of art market trends. It also reflects a growing trend of art institutions using podcasting to engage broader audiences with the stories behind iconic works.