Christie's doubles Italian sales in Paris, Milan loses spring auction

Christie's will double its 'Thinking Italian' sales in Paris from 2025, adding a spring auction to the existing October session. The decision follows the success of the October 2024 sale, which achieved over €16 million with a 100% sell-through rate, nearly half of lots exceeding estimates and four lots selling for over €1 million. The new April sale replaces the traditional spring auction held by Christie's Milan office, which had already shifted to online-only sales in recent years. Additionally, Christie's Rome office is set to close by end of 2024, with some work continuing in the capital and specialists concentrating in Milan. The move reflects the growing international demand for Italian art and Paris's increasing centrality in the art market, while diminishing Milan's physical auction presence.