ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Sotheby's New York sales double to $433.1 million

market-auction · 2026-05-18

Sotheby's achieved $433.1 million in three hours during its Thursday evening sales in New York on May 18, 2026, doubling the total from the previous year. The auction house's strong performance highlights a robust art market. Additionally, the article covers the structuring of the Nabis market, with artists like Bonnard and Vuillard leading, while lesser-known names remain accessible. A gallery show at Perrotin juxtaposes Hartung and Soulages. Danny Lyon's photography is exhibited at Galerie Rouge. A legal piece discusses eviction warranty for stolen cultural property bought from the French state.

Key facts

  • Sotheby's total reached $433.1 million in three hours.
  • Sales doubled compared to the previous year.
  • The sales occurred on Thursday evening, May 18, 2026.
  • The Nabis market is growing, led by Bonnard and Vuillard.
  • Perrotin gallery presents a novel comparison of Hartung and Soulages.
  • Galerie Rouge shows Danny Lyon's iconic 1960s photography.
  • A legal article addresses eviction warranty for stolen art from the French state.
  • The article is from Le Journal des Arts.

Entities

Artists

  • Pierre Bonnard
  • Édouard Vuillard
  • Hans Hartung
  • Pierre Soulages
  • Danny Lyon

Institutions

  • Sotheby's
  • Galerie Perrotin
  • Galerie Rouge
  • Le Journal des Arts

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • France

Sources