Next week marks the start of the first major sales series of the year in London. With the Paris sales scheduled for early April, this week is crucial for the London art market. There’s growing concern about London’s continued dominance in the global art scene post-Brexit, compounded by the trend of wealthier individuals relocating to more tax-friendly destinations. Despite these challenges, the upcoming auctions are very strong, and there are certainly some standout pieces to be seen.
I’m particularly excited about the previews, especially the small Kandinsky work on paper at Christie’s, the exquisite Modigliani in the same sale, and the wonderful range of Modern British art available. The rising prominence of Auerbach is also worth noting, with several large works—‘At the Studios’ and ‘Primrose Hill – Early Summer’—up for grabs at both major houses. Keep an eye on the ‘Moonmad’ Max Ernst sculpture at Sotheby’s, which is a rare gem, and the heavily publicised Banksy (after Vettriano)—though I’m not personally a fan, it should easily reach its £3-5m estimate.
My advice to anyone interested in art collecting is simple: view as many works as possible before making a purchase. This season will feature over 1,000 paintings across the sales, and I cannot emphasise enough how valuable the previews, starting on Wednesday, will be. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the sheer variety and quality on offer, so please do get in touch for a tour of the auction house galleries. When it comes to bidding, I’m happy to assist, ensuring you don’t overpay or, in some cases where quality does not meet the asking price, bid at all. The key is to buy wisely—and with confidence.
The auctions and their links are as follows:
Tuesday 4th March
Sotheby’s, Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale at 1900 GMT
Wednesday 5th March
Sotheby’s, Contemporary Art Day Sale at 1200 GMT
Sotheby’s Modern Art Day Sale at 1400 GMT
Christie’s, 20th / 21st Century Art Evening Sale at 1800 GMT
Christie’s, Surrealist Art Sale at 1930 GMT
Thursday 6th March
Christie’s, Post-War & Contemporary Art Day Sale at 1400 GMT
Phillip’s, Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale at 1700 GMT
Friday 7th March
Phillip’s Modern & Contemporary Art Day Sale at 1300 GMT
Christie’s, Impressionist & Modern Art Works on paper and Day Sale at 1300 GMT