The article, part of the Artnet Intelligence Report: Year Ahead 2026, analyzes art market performance by price bracket in 2025. The $1 million-to-$10 million range was the strongest segment, with sales totaling $3.5 billion—a 20.8% increase from 2024. Sales above $10 million rose 36.1% to $2.3 billion, boosted by high-priced masterpieces at New York's November auctions. The $100,000-to-$1 million bracket saw $3.2 billion in sales, up 6%. Meanwhile, works under $10,000 and in the $10,000-to-$100,000 range grew less than 1%, indicating cautious buyer behavior.
This data matters because it reveals a bifurcated market where demand concentrates in the mid-to-high tiers, driven by established names and top-quality works, while the lower end stagnates. The resilience of the $1 million-to-$10 million segment over the past decade, despite a sharp contraction between 2023 and 2024, signals shifting collector priorities and the growing importance of blue-chip art as a stable investment. These trends help galleries, auction houses, and collectors strategize in an uncertain economic climate.