On 5 March 2025, Christie's hosted its prestigious 20th/21st Century: London Evening Sale and The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale, achieving a combined total of £130,251,700. The auctions demonstrated the art market's resilience and the enduring appeal of both surrealist and contemporary works.

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20th/21st Century: London Evening Sale

The evening commenced with the 20th/21st Century: London Evening Sale, featuring 47 lots, nearly 75% of which were fresh to the market, and approximately one-third by living artists. The sale realised £82,180,500, with a sell-through rate of 94% by lot and 96% by value, underscoring a robust demand for high-quality works with solid provenance. ​

Notable Sales

• Michael Andrews' School IV: Barracuda under Skipjack Tuna (1978):

  This significant piece from Andrews' 'School' series ignited a six-minute bidding war, ultimately selling for £6,060,000, surpassing its low estimate of £3,000,000 and setting a new auction record for the artist. ​

• Tamara de Lempicka's Portrait du Docteur Boucard (1928):

  Depicting the esteemed medical scientist Pierre Boucard, this dynamic portrait fetched £6,635,000. ​

• Francis Bacon's Portrait of Man with Glasses III (1963):

  Making its auction debut, this arresting portrait achieved £6,635,000. ​

The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale

Following the contemporary segment, The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale presented 25 lots, realising £48,071,200. The auction highlighted the sustained interest in surrealist masterpieces and the genre's significant contribution to the art market. ​

Highlights

• René Magritte's La reconnaissance infinie (1933):

  This trompe l'oeil painting of a suited man standing on a moonlike sphere emerged as the top lot, selling for £10,315,000. ​

• Paul Delvaux's Works:

  Three exceptional paintings by the Belgian surrealist, offered at auction for the first time in over 30 years, captured pivotal moments in Delvaux's career, underscoring his enduring legacy within the Surrealist movement. 

Market Trends and Observations

The auctions attracted global participation, with 53% of bidders from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, 34% from the Americas, and 13% from Asia, reflecting the widespread appeal of blue-chip modern and contemporary artworks. ​

Despite a 42% decline from last year's equivalent auction, the 20th/21st Century sale met its low estimate with a strong 93% sell-through rate, indicating a stable market amidst broader economic uncertainties. ​

Visually impactful and Instagram-friendly pieces, such as Danielle Mckinney's Other Worldly (2021) and Lisa Brice's After Embah (2018), performed well, highlighting a trend towards contemporary works that resonate with modern aesthetics.

The event showcased the enduring allure of surrealist art and the robust demand for contemporary works. The strong sell-through rates and notable hammer prices reflect a resilient art market, adapting to global economic fluctuations while celebrating artistic innovation and legacy.

sources: news.artnet.compress.christies.com ft.com myartbroker.com+1Christie's+1