Rago/Wright Sets $7.8M Record in Dual Auction, Maria Martins Sculpture Soars
On May 14, 2026, Rago/Wright set a new record for the firm with a remarkable total of $7,822,453 from its dual auction event. A standout moment was the sale of Brazilian Surrealist artist Maria Martins's 1946 bronze sculpture, Impossible, which fetched $3,170,000, far exceeding her prior auction high of $329,000. This result, well above the pre-sale estimate of $150,000–200,000, marks a significant revaluation for a modernist icon. Impossible is believed to be the earliest of three known casts, crafted during a crucial phase in Martins's artistic journey.
Key facts
- Rago/Wright achieved $7,822,453 in its May 14, 2026 dual auction offering.
- The total is the highest in the firm's history.
- Maria Martins's 1946 bronze Impossible sold for $3,170,000.
- The sale set a world auction record for Maria Martins.
- Martins's previous auction benchmark was $329,000.
- The pre-sale estimate for Impossible was $150,000–200,000.
- Impossible is believed to be the earliest of three known casts.
- The result marks a dramatic revaluation for a modernist master.
Entities
Artists
- Maria Martins
Institutions
- Rago/Wright