Modern and Contemporary Art and Sculpture

Barry Humphries’ love of surrealism shaped both his comedy and collecting, culminating in the recent auction of his personal collection. The sale highlighted his diverse legacy.

Christie’s highly anticipated sale of Iris Apfel’s personal collection ran from 28 January to 13 February as a timed auction in New York. Featuring 220 lots, the sale spanned fashion, furnishings, textiles, accessories, and jewellery, all reflecting Apfel’s bold, eclectic style.

As we navigate the complexities of 2023-2024, the art market reflects the broader economic landscape, marked by caution and reassessment.

Frank Auerbach (1931–2024) transformed contemporary art with his raw, emotive portraits and textured cityscapes. A Kindertransport refugee, his work reflects resilience, humanity, and a timeless pursuit of truth, leaving a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

The December Old Master Sales were rather lacklustre with the three major London salerooms, Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams reporting combined totals for their five sales of £55.8M, just less than December 2022’s feeble total of £56.3M. One can hardly blame consignors for not wishing to offer great paintings at auction in the current geo-political climate. […]

2023 in the Art Market has been one of readjustment and realignment, but thankfully not collapse – a market correction rather than the much talked about free-fall of the market. 2022 ended on a fever pitch high, with a slew of blockbuster auctions and record-breaking auctions – the Macklowe Collection brought in $922m at Sotheby’s, […]