ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Sotheby's and Christie's Italian Sales: Top Lots and Market Signals

market-auction · 2026-05-05

In London, Sotheby's and Christie's are presenting Italian Sales featuring approximately one hundred lots from thirty Italian artists. Among the standout pieces are Enrico Castellani's 1967 artwork (£1.2-1.6M), Alighiero Boetti's 1990 maps (£1.2-1.6M), Salvatore Scarpitta's 1959 creation (£1-1.5M), and works by Alberto Burri (£4-6M at Sotheby's; £1.8-2.5M at Christie's). The lineup includes renowned artists such as Lucio Fontana, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Piero Manzoni, Pino Pascali, and Luciano Fabro. Additionally, the sales showcase optical-kinetic artists and Arte Povera, along with global figures like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Gerhard Richter. The article explores whether Italian rationality or the international collective unconscious will dominate.

Key facts

  • Sotheby's and Christie's hold Italian Sales in London.
  • Around 100 lots by 30 Italian artists are offered.
  • Top estimates: Burri £4-6M, Castellani and Boetti £1.2-1.6M each.
  • Pino Pascali's 'Coda di Delfino' from Franchetti and Durand-Dessert collection at Christie's.
  • Luciano Fabro's 'Italia all'asta verde' at Sotheby's.
  • Market tests appetite for optical-kinetic artists like Scheggi, Grignani, Apollonio.
  • Evening Sales feature gestural painting by international artists.
  • Works are displayed at Palazzo Serbelloni and Palazzo Chierici in Milan.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Milan
  • Italy
  • Palazzo Serbelloni
  • Palazzo Chierici
  • Europe
  • United States
  • Asia

Sources