The recent London auctions of 20th- and 21st-century art, particularly Christie's 20/21 Century Sale, showcased a market adapting to political and economic volatility. Christie's sales lead at £130 million.
Despite challenges, Christie's Surrealism section generated significant interest. René Magritte's "La reconnaissance infinie" (1933) achieved the highest lot price at £10.3 million. Some anticipated works, like Francis Bacon's "Portrait of Man with Glasses III" (1963), sold at £6.6 million.
The market showed a preference for visually impactful, Instagram-friendly pieces. Danielle Mckinney's "Other Worldly" (2021) sold for £264,600, significantly above its estimate. Similarly, Lisa Brice's "After Embah" (2018) fetched £5.4 million, setting an artist record.
These results suggest a stabilizing market, with auction houses leveraging personal relationships and aligning consignments with UK preferences. Upcoming auctions in New York, featuring notable collections, could further influence market dynamics.