ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Bonhams' 20th & 21st Century Art Evening Sale Hits $18.6 Million, Sets Record with Gene Hackman Collection

market-auction · 2026-04-20

On November 19, Bonhams held its 20th & 21st Century Art Evening Sale in New York, raking in an impressive $18.6 million, which is the highest total for this department worldwide. The sale showcased the Gene Hackman Collection and saw every piece sold, with a vibrant atmosphere and strong engagement from phone and online bidders, averaging seven bidders for each item and achieving an impressive 150% from the low estimate. Ralph Taylor, who leads the 20th & 21st Century Art Evening Sale at Bonhams, shared his enthusiasm about the results, noting that they follow a successful auction in London the previous month. He highlighted the sale's dynamic nature, featuring a variety of artists and compelling stories.

Key facts

  • Bonhams' 20th & 21st Century Art Evening Sale totaled $18.6 million
  • The sale occurred on November 19 in New York
  • It marked Bonhams' strongest global auction result to date
  • The Gene Hackman Collection achieved white-glove results
  • The auction averaged seven bidders per lot
  • The hammer to low average was 150%
  • Ralph Taylor is Bonhams Global Head of 20th & 21st Century Art Evening Sale
  • The sale built on a top-performing October sale in London

Entities

Institutions

  • Bonhams

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • London
  • United Kingdom

Sources