Mondrian's 1920 Composition III to Lead Christie's London Evening Sale During Frieze Week
Christie's 20th/21st Century London Evening Sale, scheduled for 14 October 2026, will feature Piet Mondrian's Composition III, a 1920 artwork that has never been auctioned before. With an estimated value between £20 million and £30 million, this piece is the most important Mondrian to be sold in Europe since 2009. Created during a crucial year in Mondrian's artistic journey, it is one of only three still owned privately. In 1920, he formulated the principles of Neo-Plasticism and authored Le Néo-Plasticisme. Composition III showcases a vibrant grid of primary colors alongside black, white, and grey. Formerly owned by Armand P. Bartos and Celeste, the painting will tour Christie's locations in Zurich, Paris, New York, and Hong Kong before its London exhibition starting 8 October.
Key facts
- Piet Mondrian's Composition III, painted in 1920, will be offered at Christie's 20th/21st Century London Evening Sale on 14 October 2026.
- The estimate is £20 million to £30 million.
- It is the most significant Mondrian to come to auction in Europe since 2009.
- The painting has never been offered at auction before.
- It is one of only three 1920 Mondrian paintings remaining in private hands.
- The work will be exhibited in Zurich, Paris, New York, and Hong Kong before the London sale.
- The painting was previously owned by architect Armand P. Bartos and his wife Celeste.
- Mondrian completed only eight paintings in 1920, five of which are in museum collections.
Entities
Artists
- Piet Mondrian
- Yves Saint Laurent
- Pierre Bergé
- Armand P. Bartos
- Celeste Bartos
Institutions
- Christie's
- Tate
- MoMA
- Stedelijk Museum
- Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
- Wilhelm-Hack Museum
- Léonce Rosenberg
Locations
- London
- Paris
- New York
- Amsterdam
- Rome
- Ludwigshafen
- Zurich
- Hong Kong
- Netherlands
Sources
- Artlyst —