Unique Photographs Drive Photo Market Toward Painting Values in Artnet Spring Sale

The Spring Photographs auction at Artnet Auctions, which is open for bids until April 16, 2026, highlights a trend towards distinctive photographic art, featuring renowned artists such as William Eggleston, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Peter Beard, and Andy Warhol. Susanna Wenniger observes that these photographs are beginning to mirror the dynamics of painting in terms of size and pricing. The tradition of unique photography dates back to Louis Daguerre's daguerreotypes from the 1830s and Man Ray's rayographs from the 1920s. Notable works include Beard's I'll Write Wherever I Can (1960) and Warhol's authenticated prints, Unidentified Man (ca. 1964) and Untitled (Jackson Browne) (ca. 1966). Artnet's report indicates that sales have surpassed $1 million, with events like The Photography Show (April 22–26, 2026) further promoting this trend.