Some of the biggest art auctions are underway, and even if you’re not planning to bid, auction previews make for a great environment to see major artworks up close, with detailed condition notes and specialist commentaries. For collectors and non‑collectors alike, they offer rare access to pieces that might otherwise sit in private hands or travel only between major museums.
Here are the major auction and auction previews to watch out for.
Christie’s
In October, London becomes a focal point for 20th‑ and 21st‑century art, with the 20th/21st Century: London Evening Sale on 14 October and the Post‑War and Contemporary Art Day Sale on 15 October during Frieze week. A standout this year is Piet Mondrian’s Composition III (1920), which gives preview visitors a rare opportunity to study a canonical abstract painting up close in a museum‑like setting. The collections are open for viewing from now till the auctions go live.
In New York, before the major evening sales, late October is dominated by photography, prints, and culturally focused sales, including The Vincent Wolf Photography Collection going on sale on October 22nd and Prints from the Collections of Antonio Homem Sonnabend on 20th and 21st October. November then brings the traditional marquee 20th/21st Century evening sales in New York, with the auction scheduled for 17th November. Impressionist, Modern, and Contemporary works of art will also be on display and sale till 18th November alongside jewellery and watches.
Sotheby’s
In October, The London Sales on 15–16 October bring together Modern & Contemporary, Impressionist and design offerings at the heart of Frieze week, with previews allowing visitors to trace the narratives and view the pieces up close. At the same time, Sotheby’s runs Prints & Photographs sales in New York, with Part II featuring Picasso Ceramics and photographs from the Nelson Brothers, amongst others.
Towards the end of October, Sotheby’s turns to Paris with dedicated sales on 22–23 October, aligning with Art Basel Paris and offering a set of Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary works. The previews allow visitors to compare how the same artists and movements are presented across London, Paris and New York within a few weeks. Simultaneously, Sotheby’s launches an extended Asian Art series in Hong Kong that runs from mid October to 11 November, covering Chinese ceramics, classical and modern paintings, sculptures, and more.
In November, Sotheby’s closes its autumn calendar with day and evening auctions in New York focused on contemporary art works. A major highlight this year is the Blaquier‑Arrieta Collection, valued at around $450 million, which includes Impressionist and Post‑Impressionist masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne and Claude Monet.
Phillips
With an emphasis on modern and contemporary art, watches, photographs, and jewels, Phillips hosts more intimate preview exhibitions where visitors can engage with individual works more closely. In October, the London salerooms host the Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale on 15 October and related sales on 17 October, forming part of the Freize Week. In Paris, the Vente Art Moderne & Contemporain et Design on 21 October coincides with Art Basel Paris, bringing together modern masters and 20th‑century French design.
In New York, Phillips’ October auctions are focused on photography and works on paper. The Exposure: Photographs Online Auction takes place on 13 October and highlights 20th‑ and 21st‑century photography, while the Editions & Works on Paper sales on 22 October include modern and contemporary prints.
In November, Phillips moves to Geneva and Hong Kong for major auctions in watches and jewels. The Geneva Jewels Auction: VII on 9 November features a Collections & Provenance section that includes period jewels with highlights such as a pearl and diamond necklace once owned by Queen Mary. The Geneva Watch Auction: XXIV on 7-8 November and The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXIII on 21-22 November bring iconic watchmaking to preview audiences in Europe and Asia, where visitors can examine design details and historical significance up close.
