Sotheby's will hold its second auction in Saudi Arabia, Origins II, on January 31 in Diriyah, featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Anish Kapoor, and Middle Eastern artists including Safeya Binzagr and Mohammed Al Saleem. The sale spans categories from ancient sculpture to contemporary South Asian art, with highlights including Picasso's 'Paysage' (1965, est. $2-3 million) and Binzagr's 'Coffee Shop in Madina Road' (1968, est. $150,000-200,000).
The auction signals Sotheby's deepening commitment to the Saudi market, following a $17.28 million inaugural Origins sale in February 2024 that attracted buyers from 45 countries. By excluding luxury goods and focusing solely on art, the house aims to attract a new wave of collectors in the Gulf region, as noted by collector Mohammed Afkhami. The sale also coincides with the upcoming Art Basel Qatar fair and the Diriyah contemporary art biennale, underscoring Saudi Arabia's growing role as an art market hub.