Christie’s Hosts Four Auctions During Paris Art Week 2026 with Over €100 Million in Artworks

Paris Art Week 2026 included a series of four auctions organized by Christie’s, with a total estimated value of over €100 million. These auctions featured works from four landmark collections: the Durand-Ruel family, Antonio Homem Sonnabend, Marlene and Spencer Hays, and the “Radiant Modernism” Collection. The auctions were scheduled over two days, October 22 and 23, 2026, each focusing on different themes and collections.

The first auction, "Durand-Ruel: Generations of Visions," took place on October 22 at 2:30 p.m. This was followed by the "20th/21st Century: Paris Evening Sale," which began at 3:30 p.m. on the same day and included a segment titled "Thinking Italian." On October 23, the "Modern Art Sale" started at 10:00 a.m., featuring works from both the Durand-Ruel Collection and the Marlene and Spencer Hays Collection. The final auction, "Contemporary Art Day Sale Paris," was held at 4:00 p.m. on October 23.

Among the notable works presented was "Bord des falaises à Pourville" by Claude Monet, which had remained in the Durand-Ruel family for more than 140 years. This painting was estimated at €11–15 million. Another significant piece was "Jeunes filles au bord de la mer" by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, valued between €4 and €6 million. This Renoir painting has been lent to some of the world’s leading museums.

The Antonio Homem Sonnabend Collection brought together an exceptional group of major Post-War and Contemporary artworks. In addition to paintings, this collection included photographs, prints, multiples, and design pieces, offering a broad spectrum of artistic media.

Public exhibitions of the auction highlights were held from October 16 to 22. These exhibitions were located in the immediate vicinity of the Art Basel fair at the Grand Palais, providing an opportunity for visitors to view the artworks in person before the auctions.

A press preview was organized on October 19 at 4:00 p.m. Later that day, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., a preview was held during the MaSH (Matignon Saint-Honoré) association’s evening event. These previews allowed both media and the public to experience the artworks firsthand.

The four auctions collectively represented a significant offering of modern and contemporary art, with the total estimated value exceeding €100 million. The event showcased works from important private collections and provided access to notable pieces from different periods and artistic movements.