ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Italian Winter Auction Season: Key Lots and Market Trends

market-auction · 2026-05-05

The auction season for modern and contemporary Italian art spans from November through December. Finarte kicked off the events on November 9 at Museo della Permanente, achieving a 60% sell-through rate and generating total sales of €1.8 million. Notable works included pieces by Gerardo Dottori, Dadamaino, Tano Festa, and Emilio Isgrò, whose 'La veglia di Bach' (1985) reached a record price of €90,000. Upcoming auctions include Dorotheum in Vienna from November 22-24, featuring Paolo Scheggi (estimated €160,000-220,000) and Tano Festa (estimated €150,000-200,000). Sotheby's on November 23-24 will present 180 lots, including Lucio Fontana (estimated €700,000-900,000). Wannenes on November 24 will showcase Carol Rama and Fausto Melotti's 'Poesia' (1962, estimated €180,000-240,000), while Farsetti on November 25 includes Enrico Castellani (estimated €320,000-450,000). Cambi on November 28 will highlight Dadamaino, and the season concludes with Pandolfini and Il Ponte on December 5-6, featuring Tano Festa and Piero Manzoni's 'Merda d'artista' (1961).

Key facts

  • Finarte auction on November 9 sold 60% of lots for €1.8 million.
  • Emilio Isgrò's 'La veglia di Bach' (1985) set a new record at €90,000.
  • Dorotheum Vienna auctions on November 22-24 include works by Carla Accardi, Pier Paolo Calzolari, Paolo Scheggi, and Tano Festa.
  • Sotheby's at Palazzo Serbelloni on November 23-24 offers Lucio Fontana, Domenico Gnoli (Sofà, 1968, estimate €1.5-2 million), and Salvatore Scarpitta.
  • Wannenes on November 24 features Fausto Melotti's 'Poesia' (1962, estimate €180,000-240,000).
  • Farsetti in Prato on November 25 offers Enrico Castellani (estimate €320,000-450,000) and Aldo Mondino.
  • Cambi on November 28 includes Dadamaino and Paolo Icaro.
  • Pandolfini and Il Ponte on December 5-6 feature Piero Manzoni's 'Merda d'artista' (1961).

Entities

Artists

  • Gerardo Dottori
  • Dadamaino
  • Tano Festa
  • Giosetta Fioroni
  • Carol Rama
  • Fabio Mauri
  • Mario Schifano
  • Giuseppe Chiari
  • Emilio Isgrò
  • Rodolfo Aricò
  • Enrico Castellani
  • Agostino Bonalumi
  • Piero Dorazio
  • Mimmo Rotella
  • Carla Accardi
  • Pier Paolo Calzolari
  • Paolo Scheggi
  • Lucio Fontana
  • Alberto Burri
  • Tancredi
  • Giorgio Morandi
  • Fausto Melotti
  • Domenico Gnoli
  • Salvatore Scarpitta
  • Gianfranco Baruchello
  • Vincenzo Agnetti
  • Allan McCollum
  • Marina Apollonio
  • Aldo Mondino
  • Paolo Icaro
  • Emilio Scanavino
  • Bruno Munari
  • Piero Manzoni

Institutions

  • Finarte
  • Museo della Permanente
  • Palazzo Reale
  • Dorotheum
  • Sotheby's
  • Palazzo Serbelloni
  • Wannenes
  • Frigoriferi Milanesi
  • Farsetti
  • Cambi Casa d’Aste
  • Casa d'Aste Il Ponte
  • Pandolfini
  • Sidney Janis Gallery
  • Villa Croce
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Milan
  • Italy
  • Vienna
  • Austria
  • Prato
  • Genoa
  • New York
  • United States

Sources