German auction houses are holding their spring and summer sales with works ranging from Renoir to Kandinsky, featuring several million-euro lots. While these sales cannot match the billion-dollar results of New York evening auctions, they offer rare works and have adopted the evening sale format. The article notes that it can be strategically advantageous to consign certain works in Germany rather than in the United States.
This matters because it highlights the continued relevance and specialization of regional auction markets in the global art trade. Despite the dominance of New York, German auction houses provide a viable alternative for sellers of high-value European works, particularly those with provenance or collector bases in Europe. The presence of multiple million-euro lots signals sustained demand and market confidence in this segment.