NEW YORK, NY.- Sotheby’s today announced a selection of upcoming spring sales that will now be conducted as online auctions. Representing a mix of collecting categories, these sales – spanning Design, Photographs, Prints & Multiples and Contemporary Art – demonstrate the strength of Sotheby’s online auction program across the auction house's business.
These changes reflect Sotheby’s commitment to providing their staff and clients with a safe environment, the requirements and goals of consignors and buyers, and Sotheby's responsibility to the international art market.
Since launching in 2016, online sales have been a growing segment of Sotheby’s sales program. Sotheby's successfully held 129 dedicated online sales in 2019, spanning all manner of fine art and luxury objects. Those sales together raised $80 million – growing 55% over 2018, and 5 times their size in 2017 – and with multiple works selling for above $1 million. These dedicated online sales in 2020 have been especially robust, having raised $20 million to-date and climbing daily.
Charles Stewart, Sotheby’s CEO, said: “We have held more than a dozen auctions since the beginning of March, which have achieved very strong results and demonstrated the resilience of the global art market. Likewise, our leading private sales platform has seen a significant uptick in activity. It is clear that our clients remain focused on our markets, and our aim is to continue to support them in both buying and selling. Sotheby’s has invested heavily in technology to ensure that we have the very best digital tools in the marketplace – including our proprietary online sale platform – which we are using to benefit and support our clients.”
SPRING SALES SHIFTING ONLINE
DESIGN
Bidding closes 31 March
PHOTOGRAPHS
Bidding closes 3 April
CONTEMPORARY CURATED
Bids open 14 April – 21 April
PRINTS & MULTIPLES
Bids open 17 April – 28 April
As previously announced, Sotheby’s plans to make final decisions about each of their spring auction events at least 30 days prior to the existing sale date. For all the latest confirmations and updates to the spring sales schedule, please visit sothebys.com.
In further support of these online sales, Sotheby’s also shared the debut of their new, immersive digital catalogue that will be available beginning April 15 for Contemporary Curated and Prints & Multiples. The ‘digital-first’ design of the enhanced catalogues emphasizes visual storytelling through video, interactive media, and other rich content formats in a way that moves beyond print media. By presenting the objects featured in the sales in a wholly modern way, the digital catalogue encourages deeper engagement with each sale across all collecting categories.
SOTHEBY’S SERVICES
Sotheby’s Online Consignment Tool remains open for specialist evaluations of all manner. Since launching in 2017, the online consignment tool has been an invaluable service for clients interested in receiving remote feedback from specialists. In 2019 alone, more than $83 million worth of property was sold globally at Sotheby’s following inquiries through the interface.
Sotheby’s will also continue to offer clients a range of services, including Private Sale opportunities and lending through Sotheby’s Financial Services, taking into account the relevant geographical restrictions.
