Auction record

Art marketarchive

Records tumble as the Chinese mainland embraces its modernists

“Modern Chinese art has one goal: how to merge western art and Chinese art. Now Chinese collectors recognise the value of these works.”

Modigliani breaks auction record in France

Christie's Paris sold the work to an anonymous phone buyer

May 2010archive

Why do certain works still set auction records during recessions

We noted in 2010, amid a painful global downturn, that a Picasso nude carried the largest pre-sale auction estimate in history at $70m to $90m

Collectorsarchive

Roman Abramovich brings home the $86.3m Bacon and the $33.6m Freud

The London-based Russian billionaire has bought the record-breaking works; he has not previously been known to collect art

Royaltyarchive

Revealed: Royal family of Qatar is buyer of world’s most expensive Hirst

The ruling Al-Thanis bought the artist’s Lullaby Spring at Sotheby’s last year for £9.7m and are also believed to have purchased the Rockefeller Rothko for $72.8m

Why you cannot trust dealers’ prices—or auction results either

In 2006 we reported that attempts to accurately measure the market are being thwarted by auction guarantees and private sales between tight-lipped collectors

July 2006archive

How long can this amazing art market boom last?

In recent years have seen works sold for explosive prices—and now in 2006 we are asking if this an indication of an accelerating trend or a reflection of the cyclical nature of the market?

Art marketarchive

Auction records off the beaten track

A new Orientalist star overturns Gérôme; Italo-Swiss Alpine artist fetches $9.5 million and “The big wave” sweeps photography to new heights