At the VIP opening of Frieze New York, collectors were present but subdued, with galleries presenting modest displays and sales proceeding at a sensible, sedate pace. Despite the lack of urgency, business has improved since last year, buoyed by upcoming top-tier auctions. Thaddaeus Ropac confirmed four early sales, including a George Baselitz canvas for €1.4 million and an Alex Katz work for $400,000. David Zwirner’s booth of Joe Bradley paintings was among the buzziest, with all works on hold by early afternoon, while Cindy Sherman photographs at Hauser & Wirth sold steadily. Leonardo DiCaprio made visits, and Kelly Sinnapah Mary’s paintings at James Cohan Gallery sold out, the largest to a museum.
This matters because Frieze New York, now in its 14th year, reflects a shifting art fair landscape where discovery and urgency have waned, replaced by a more dutiful, discourse-driven atmosphere. Advisors note that while the fair is no longer a "must-see" for some collectors, it remains an important hub for connections and conversations. The return to heritage painting and historical consciousness, as noted by advisor Erica Samuels, signals a broader market trend away from chasing novelty toward established artistic values. The fair’s role in the global art calendar is being redefined, even as top-tier sales continue.