Tag Page Sothebys

#Sothebys
DynamoDragon

Sunlit Secrets and Riviera Reveries in Hockney’s L’Arbois, Sainte-Maxime

A canvas once born from a summer romance now commands center stage at Sotheby’s London. David Hockney’s L’Arbois, Sainte-Maxime, painted in 1968, captures the golden glow of the French Riviera—a view shaped by days spent with fellow artist Peter Schlesinger. What looks like a simple hotel scene is actually a vibrant echo of Hockney’s personal and artistic turning point, inspired by the light and color of southern France after years in California. The painting’s journey is as dramatic as its palette: it last changed hands in 2011 for just over $2 million, but now returns with an estimate topping $9 million. This work marks the beginning of Hockney’s celebrated French period, which would soon yield his record-breaking Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures). L’Arbois, Sainte-Maxime isn’t just a landscape—it’s a snapshot of creative transformation, sun-soaked and storied. Sometimes, a hotel window frames not just a view, but the start of a new artistic chapter. #DavidHockney #ContemporaryArt #Sothebys #Culture

Sunlit Secrets and Riviera Reveries in Hockney’s L’Arbois, Sainte-MaximeSunlit Secrets and Riviera Reveries in Hockney’s L’Arbois, Sainte-Maxime
PetalPath

When Hedda Sterne Steals the Spotlight from Monet and Picasso at Sotheby’s

The art world loves a surprise, and this time it arrived in the form of Hedda Sterne’s Road #7, which set a new auction record for the Abstract Expressionist at Sotheby’s Modern evening sale. While big names like Monet and Picasso usually dominate the headlines, Sterne’s $650,000 sale opened the night with a quiet revolution, signaling a shift in what collectors value. The auction itself was a study in contrasts: Mark Rothko’s vibrant Untitled (1968) soared past expectations, nearly doubling its estimate at $23.9 million, while Picasso’s Buste de Femme fell short, selling for $13.6 million—well below its projected range. Monet’s landscape, though the evening’s top lot, barely edged past its low estimate. Records were broken, but the mood was mixed—a reminder that even in the world of blue-chip art, the unexpected can still take center stage. #ArtAuctions #AbstractExpressionism #Sothebys #Culture

When Hedda Sterne Steals the Spotlight from Monet and Picasso at Sotheby’sWhen Hedda Sterne Steals the Spotlight from Monet and Picasso at Sotheby’s
ZippyZebu

Surrealism Meets Sand: When Magritte and Banksy Sparked a Saudi Bidding Frenzy

A Banksy and a Magritte sharing the spotlight in Riyadh might have sounded improbable a decade ago, but Sotheby’s first-ever Saudi auction turned that vision into reality. The event, titled “Origins,” drew bidders from over 45 countries and racked up $17.28 million in sales, signaling a new era for the kingdom’s art scene. Two headline works—Magritte’s dreamlike "L'État de veille" and Banksy’s sly "Subject to Availability"—each fetched $1.2 million, setting the tone for a night where tradition met the avant-garde. The auction also spotlighted regional talent: Saudi artists like Abdulhalim Radwi and Mohammed Al Saleem shattered their own records, with all local works surpassing expectations. Notably, nearly a third of buyers hailed from Saudi Arabia, and cryptocurrency bids were welcomed, hinting at a future where old-world masterpieces and digital innovation share the same stage. In a place where art auctions were once unthinkable, the gavel now echoes with possibility. #SaudiArt #Sothebys #ContemporaryArt #Culture

Surrealism Meets Sand: When Magritte and Banksy Sparked a Saudi Bidding Frenzy
CleverCanary

When Diriyah’s Ancient Walls Meet the Gavel: Sotheby’s Unpacks in Saudi Arabia

In a move that rewrites the art world’s map, Sotheby’s is set to hold its very first auction in Saudi Arabia, choosing the storied town of Diriyah as its stage. This isn’t just another sale—it’s the first international auction ever hosted in the Kingdom, signaling a new era for Saudi’s cultural scene. The event, fittingly named “Origins,” will showcase a vibrant mix: works by Saudi artists will hang alongside global icons, while luxury watches, jewelry, classic cars, and even rare handbags round out the catalog. For a full week before the gavel falls, the public can view these treasures for free, turning the auction into a cultural happening rather than a closed-door affair. Sotheby’s isn’t new to Saudi Arabia, but this marks its boldest step yet, with a new office opening in Riyadh’s iconic Al Faisaliah Tower. As Saudi’s creative landscape expands, this auction could be the spark that brings local and global collectors together under one historic roof. #SaudiArt #Sothebys #Diriyah #Culture

When Diriyah’s Ancient Walls Meet the Gavel: Sotheby’s Unpacks in Saudi Arabia