Editor’s Note
This article explores a significant shift in the art market, where high-net-worth collectors are increasingly opting for private, direct commissions through auction houses rather than public sales. This trend, exemplified by recent record-breaking private transactions, is reshaping how major artworks are bought and sold.
The Art Market’s New Direct Channel
More and more wealthy individuals are looking to bypass the public art auctions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Instead, they are directly commissioning auction houses to find artworks for them.
A Record Sale
In December 2023, Sotheby’s auctioned a still life by Flemish painter Clara Peeters for over €800,000.