Global auction sales saw a 13 percent increase in 2025, signaling the first market recovery in several years. However, this growth was largely concentrated in New York through the sale of high-value masterpieces, while other regions like China continued to experience a decline in activity.
The data reveals a significant shift in collector behavior, moving away from speculative ultra-contemporary works in favor of established blue-chip artists. This uneven recovery suggests that while the market is stabilizing, the momentum is driven by a flight to quality and geographical consolidation rather than a broad-based industry rebound.