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Sotheby's Acquires Art Agency, Partners to Launch New Fine-Art Division

market-auction · 2026-04-20

Sotheby's has acquired the consultancy Art Agency, Partners, as reported by The New York Times. The firm is led by Amy Cappellazzo, previously chairwoman of Christie's postwar and contemporary-art development, alongside art advisor Allan Schwartzman and Adam Chinn, co-founder of Centerview Partners and a former partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. This acquisition will establish a new fine-art division at Sotheby's focusing on 20th- and 21st-century art. The move aims to boost profits, expand private sales, and grow the client base. Cappellazzo's background includes a key role at rival auction house Christie's. The consultancy's integration into Sotheby's marks a strategic effort to enhance its market position. The deal was announced in January 2016, with the new division set to drive growth in contemporary art sectors.

Key facts

  • Sotheby's acquired Art Agency, Partners
  • The consultancy is led by Amy Cappellazzo, Allan Schwartzman, and Adam Chinn
  • Amy Cappellazzo was former chairwoman of Christie's postwar and contemporary-art development
  • Adam Chinn is co-founder of Centerview Partners and former partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
  • The acquisition creates a new fine-art division at Sotheby's
  • The division focuses on 20th- and 21st-century art
  • The goal is to increase profits, build private sales, and grow client base
  • The New York Times reported the acquisition in January 2016

Entities

Institutions

  • Sotheby's
  • Art Agency, Partners
  • Christie's
  • Centerview Partners
  • Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
  • The New York Times

Sources