Top Auction Performers of 2025: Basquiat Leads with Record Sales

In 2025, several artists achieved notable auction results, with Jean-Michel Basquiat emerging as the top performer in the contemporary category. His 1981 painting 'Crowns (Peso Neto)' sold for $48.3 million at Sotheby's New York in November, far surpassing other artists. David Hockney maintained a strong position, with his 1968 portrait 'Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy' fetching $44.3 million at Christie's New York, also in November. This work had previously failed to sell in 1985. René Magritte's 1942 piece 'Le Jockey perdu' exceeded expectations, selling for $12.3 million at Sotheby's New York. J.M.W. Turner re-entered the rankings, aided by the sale of 'Ehrenbreitstein, or The Bright Stone of Honour and the Tomb of Marceau, from Byron’s ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage'' for $11.9 million at Christie's New York. In the ultra-contemporary segment, Matthew Wong's 2017 painting 'The Gentle Sea' sold for $2.37 million at Sotheby's New York, well above its estimate. These sales highlight ongoing market trends, with high demand for established and emerging artists. The data is part of the Artnet Intelligence Report: Year Ahead 2026, analyzing auction performance. A live discussion on these findings is scheduled for April 8.