Sotheby’s is returning to Riyadh for the second edition of its Origins sale, titled Origins II, with a live auction scheduled for 31 January. The sale will feature over 70 lots spanning Modern and Contemporary Art, Ancient Sculpture, and 20th-Century Design, including works by Saudi pioneer Safeya Binzagr, Iraqi artist Mahmoud Sabri, and Pablo Picasso. The auction coincides with the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the debut of Art Basel Doha, and will be preceded by a public exhibition at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace from 24 to 31 January.
This auction matters because it signals Sotheby’s deepening commitment to the Gulf region and the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s art market. By placing museum-worthy works alongside international blue-chip names, Origins II aims to cement Riyadh as a serious destination for high-value art sales and to support the Kingdom’s expanding cultural ecosystem. The timing alongside major regional events like Art Basel Doha underscores the Middle East’s rising influence in the global art world.