How much does it cost to buy art in 2026? Artwork

Phantom of Rubens

Hello there! My name is Daria and I'm into art history. Join me to discover the secrets behind the greatest masterpieces, time travel to the past and have the most exciting talks with the experts of the art universe!

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Phantom of Rubens

How much does it cost to buy art in 2026?

May 22, 2026 • Daria • Season 1 • Episode 8

0:00 | 2:59

Who, where, when? Art auction edition!

In this episode let me break it down for you how expensive it is to be an art collector. I've visited NY auctions and I am ready to share all the prices.

Welcome to this channel!

SPEAKER_00 0:07

This is a special episode where coming straight from May auctions at Sudbissen, New York. It is conceded with several art fair openings. The auction house kicked off a billion dollar marathon and the first salvo 433 million. Let's look at the numbers. That is 133% higher than last May. And more than both November evening sales combined. The market is wide awake. White glove for a legendary dealer. The evening opened with a collection of a Robert Notion, a legendary gallerist. Sadbess made it short and dramatic. The result? White glove sale. Everything sold. Total 163.3 million. Wow. Above the estimate, the Star Lot was Rotko, a giant red canvas, brown and black in reeds. It sold for 85.8 million. Didn't hit 100 million estimate. But that's not the point. Why? Because Notion bought it back in 2006 just for 6.7 million. For over 20 years the work was in his collection. Now brought him nearly 13 times that. Basquia and the Return of Asia. Next up is the main evening sale. Now and contemporary. The headliner was Basquia, the Museum Security, from 1983. The peak of his short intense career. Freebiders fought for it. It went for 52.7 million. Estimate was 45 million. Here are the key takeaway. Asia is back in the room. Collectors from Bear chased Rotko, the Kuning, Rausha. Remember everyone talking about post-pandemic bubble for young artists, forget it. Records are breaking it again. So this is the boot. Also, an artist from Japan leaves a carpet with nearly a million. And with an estimate was 120 and 180,000. Luciana Fontana, the Sky of Venice, 5 minutes of bidding, 16.4 million, a new record for the sale. Key takeaways. The sales room sounds like an orchestra again. And the conductor is New York. Thanks for listening. This is a podcast about art and big money.