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Works by van Gogh and Cézanne up for sale in Sotheby's $450 million auction. PUBLISHED: September 30, 2026 at 3:12 PM CDT UPDATED: September 30, 2026 at 3:21 PM CDT By JILL LAWLESS LONDON (AP) - A dozen Impressionist and post-Impressionist artworks collectively valued at almost half a billion dollars are going up for auction after sitting unseen for decades in a fabled private collection in South America. Sotheby's auction house said Wednesday that works by Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne are expected to smash records for the artists in the Nov. 18 sale in New York. If so, it would be the latest sign that, in uncertain times, ultrawealthy art collectors are seeking security in masterpieces. The paintings come from a collection amassed by the late Argentine art collector Nelly Arrieta de Blaquier and her sugar magnate husband, Carlos Pedro Blaquier, and are being sold by their children. They include van Gogh's landscape "Châtaigniers en fleurs," (Chestnut Trees in Flower) estimated at $180 million, and Cézanne's portrait "Arlequin," which carries an estimate of $120 million. Neither has been seen in public for half a century. Helena Newman, Sotheby's head of Impressionist and modern art, said the collection was like a "mini- Musée D'Orsay," the Paris museum that holds one of the world's greatest collections of Impressionist and post-Impressionist artworks. "In my 30-plus years at Sotheby's, I've never had the privilege of handling a collection of quite this content and caliber," she said. Newman said van Gogh's painting of flowering chestnut trees captures the "explosion of energy and vitality" the artist felt after his release from a psychiatric asylum in May 1890. He took his own life two months later. Cornell's reckonings with fraternities haven't prevented misconduct Watch More The Cézanne portrait is one of four paintings of the artist's son dressed as the Harlequin figure from clowning. The other three are in major museums. Also in the collection are Parisian cityscapes by Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, a horse-racing image by Edgar Degas and a boating scene by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, all valued in the tens of millions of dollars. Art expert Philip Hook, a former Sotheby's auctioneer, said the collection "really is the stuff of legend," because the collectors did not loan out the works for exhibitions. "No one knew really what was in it. So now, for this to be revealed, is tremendously exciting," Hook said. "They came out with a collection that, rather cleverly, is focused on getting one representative work by each of the major names (of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art), and that is incredibly difficult to do," he added. "They succeeded with huge, huge style and success." Newman said sale is likely to attract global attention, with potential buyers ranging from American tech billionaires to well-endowed Middle Eastern institutions and rich collectors from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. "In times where there's a lot of global macro geopolitical uncertainty, it's almost like there's a return to really established, tried and tested" works that are "unquestionably great," Newman said. "(This) museum-quality Impressionist collection... is pretty rare."

Art Basel parent company profits quadruple to CHF 18.4 million. Switzerland's MCH Group, the parent company of the Art Basel fairs, reported a significant increase in both revenue and profit during the first half of 2026. Net profits quadrupled from CHF 4.4 million (approximately $5.4 million) in the same period last year to CHF 18.4 million (approximately $22.3 million). This growth was attributed solely to the company's Community Platforms division, which includes the Art Basel fairs, though their financial results are not reported separately. While increases were consistent across the Americas, Asia/Pacific/Africa, and Europe, revenue in Switzerland declined from CHF 83 million (approximately $100 million) to CHF 63 million (approximately $76.4 million), according to a report by Monopol. Separately, the International Fine Prints & Drawings Association announced that 76 exhibitors will participate in its 2027 fair, scheduled to run from April 8-11 at the Park Avenue Armory. New participants include White Cube and New York galleries Sikkemma Malloy Jenkins and Gladstone. Sotheby's is expanding into the French dining scene with Chez Sotheby's, a pop-up restaurant in a Paris apartment on Rue de Rivoli. This initiative coincides with Art Basel Paris and is a partnership with the art advisory Polimeno. The pop-up will feature more than $150 million worth of art, including works by Wayne Thiebaud, Gerhard Richter, George Condo, and Lucio Fontana. Chef Erika Blu of Marseille's Atelier Renata will lead the culinary experience. Christie's will celebrate 20 years since its UAE debut in Dubai with its first auction in Abu Dhabi. Titled "MAWASIM," the auction will take place at the Abu Dhabi Edition on November 1, showcasing works by artists such as Paul Guiragossian, Samia Halaby, and Mohamed Melehi. In other industry news, Bonhams appointed Silke Stahlschmidt as its representative in Zurich. Henry Highley is now the worldwide head of private sales at Phillips. Chicago gallery Secrist | Beach launched a new project space called Satellite on September 17. Former Pace director Dani Forest Brandi is joining art advisory Beaumont Nathan as senior director. New York's Ortuzar promoted Kenta Murakami to partner and hired Jeffrey Rowledge from Greene Naftali as senior director. Pace Prints acquired Brand X Editions, as reported by Artnet News. Several artists have new gallery representation. Lucy Bull is now represented by Hauser & Wirth in collaboration with David Kordansky Gallery. Sarah Ball joined Pilar Corrias in London. New York's Alexander Gray Associates now represents Márcia Falçao in partnership with Brazilian gallery Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel and Contemporary Fine Arts (Berlin and Basel). David Reed joined the lineup at Rodder (New York). L.A.'s Nazarian / Curcio added Larissa Lockshin to its roster. Marina Adams joined Peter Blum Gallery (New York). David Hartt joined Bortolami (New York). Maruani Mercier (Brussels) now represents the estate of Hermann Nitsch, and Gazelli Art House is now working with the Lilly Fenichel Foundation. A monumental donation from the Thyssen-Bornemisza family to the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid includes 180 works valued at over €16 million (approximately $18.5 million). An additional 180 works, worth €10 million (approximately $11.5 million), will be placed on long-term loan. These pieces will form the collection of a new museum for contemporary art in Madrid, anticipated to open around 2031, according to Artnet News. Staff at the V&A's South Kensington site announced further strike action on September 25 and 26 due to ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions. Unionized staff at the Brooklyn Museum, the American Folk Art Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art also voted in favor of strike action amidst contract negotiations, Artnews reported. Argentina's Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires selected Mexican architect Frida Escobedo to design a major expansion, expected to open around 2030, according to The Art Newspaper. In Accra, a new cultural center named Si Hene, dedicated to archiving Ghanaian history, is set to open in early November, The Art Newspaper also noted. The Harvard Art Museums appointed Jeannie M. Kenmotsu as curator of Asian art. The 2027 Islamic Arts Biennale will be led by Nada Raza, director of the Alserkal Arts Foundation, Idries Trevathan, former chief curator of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, and Islamic art scholars William Robinson and Alain Fouad George. This event will return to the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 1. Mori Art Museum director Kataoka Mami was appointed Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Republic, an honor also bestowed upon artist Shiota Chiharu, who was appointed Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Photographer Tyler Mitchell received the $200,000 Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art, awarded by Crystal Bridges and the Tyson Family Foundation. The 2026 Isamu Noguchi Award was presented to artist Danh Vo and fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto. Anna Puigjaner won the 2026 RIBA Charles Jencks Award for architecture. The inaugural Spector Craft Prize was awarded to Sharif Bey, whose work will be acquired by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The €50,000 (approximately $57,400) 2026 Prince Claus Impact Award went to artist and academic kąrî'kạchä seid'ou. New York P.R. firm Cultural Counsel will undergo a restructuring as its founder, Adam Abdalla, steps back from daily operations while retaining ownership. Senior vice president Marcella Zimmerman will assume public-facing responsibilities, Artnews reported. Finally, Peter Max, the artist known for his psychedelic paintings of the 1960s, passed away at 88, Artnet News reported. Many of these developments have a direct impact on the American art landscape, including museum strikes, new gallery representations, and a significant American art prize.

Luxury Group and Sotheby's elevate global partnership with the Asia Pacific debut of "The Art of Knowing" Masterclass Series. Sep 14, 2026, 12:00 ET Two global luxury brands bring together world-class hospitality, specialist expertise, and the art of connoisseurship across Asia Pacific's most iconic destinations. HONG KONG, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Luxury Group by Marriott International and Sotheby's continues to deepen their global partnership, bringing their exclusive masterclass series to Asia Pacific for the first time. Building on last year's debut through private tours at Sotheby's Maison during Sotheby's Hong Kong's Luxury Week, this next chapter introduces "The Art of Knowing," a multi-faceted series spanning digital masterclass content and exclusive in-person experiences that offer deeper access to the worlds of rare craftsmanship, heritage, and high-value collecting. Designed to offer a deeper understanding of the stories and expertise behind the world's most exceptional objects, the masterclass series brings together the complementary strengths of both luxury leaders. Since 1744, Sotheby's contributes its global authority in collecting, craftsmanship, and specialist knowledge, while Luxury Group provides the setting through exceptional service, culinary artistry, and thoughtfully curated guest experiences. "At Luxury Group, we define true luxury not just by exceptional stays, but by meaningful access and moments of authentic discovery," said Bart Buiring, Managing Director, Luxury, Greater China, Marriott International. "Through our continued collaboration with Sotheby's, we create opportunities for our guests to experience extraordinary collectibles up close and gain a deeper understanding of the mastery, passion, and stories woven into each piece." Introducing The Art of Knowing: A One-Minute Masterclass Series At the heart of "The Art of Knowing" is a new one-minute masterclass video series that offers an insider's perspective on the world of luxury. Filmed at The St. Regis Hong Kong, the series features Sotheby's specialists including Vanessa Wat (Handbags & Fashion), George Lacey (Wine & Luxury), and Jane Ki (Jewelry), who distill decades of expertise into concise lessons that reveal the craftsmanship, provenance, and collector insights behind some of the world's most coveted handbags, jewelry, watches, and wines. From September 2, The Art of Knowing: A One-Minute Masterclass Series will roll out across Luxury Group and Sotheby's channels. Discover the full series here. The Masterclass Experience: Exclusive Access to the Art of Collecting and Gastronomy Bringing "The Art of Knowing" beyond the screen, Sotheby's specialists will also share their expertise through a series of intimate masterclasses across Luxury Group destinations. In Greater China, the series will kick off on September 14 at The St. Regis Hong Kong, where exceptional handbags presented by Sotheby's will take center stage against the hotel's distinctive "curated mansion" ambiance. During the guided appreciation, guests will gain deeper insight into the craftsmanship and collector appeal behind each piece, with the rare opportunity to engage with select handbags firsthand. The experience continues October 2 at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, inviting guests into the world of fine watch collecting through a masterclass centered on a selection of exceptional timepieces. Complementing the masterclass experience in Hong Kong, guests will enjoy an exclusive four-hands culinary collaboration between two Michelin-starred L'Envol at The St. Regis Hong Kong and one Michelin-starred Tosca di Angelo at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. Reflecting the same spirit of craftsmanship and connoisseurship explored throughout the evening, the bespoke menu will showcase dishes including Mediterranean lobster with Oscietra caviar, red star grouper in Matalotta soup, and charcoal-grilled Wagyu with violet baby artichoke and gnocchi. Throughout the dinner, a Sotheby's specialist will also lead an intimate wine sharing, guiding guests through each pairing and the nuances that make it a natural complement to the menu. Reservations for the October 2 masterclass and dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong may be made via this link or by contacting [email protected] or +852-2263-2270. "The Art of Knowing" will continue at The St. Regis Shenzhen Bao'an on October 15 with a wine-focused masterclass, further extending the series' exploration of collecting, craftsmanship, and connoisseurship across the region. As the partnership continues to evolve, Luxury Group and Sotheby's bring guests closer to the worlds that inspire collectors, offering rare opportunities to engage with exceptional objects through the context and stories that give them meaning. ABOUT LUXURY GROUP BY MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL With an unrivaled portfolio of dynamic luxury brands, Marriott International is creating authentic, rare, and enriching experiences sought by today's global luxurian. Spanning all corners of the world, Marriott International's Luxury Group offers a boundless network of more than 565 landmark hotels, resorts, and yachts in over 70 countries and territories through The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels. From the world's most iconic destinations to the ultimate undiscovered gems, the international hospitality leader's collection of luxury brands is focused on elevating travel with highly contextualized, nuanced brand experiences that signal the future of luxury by allowing guests to indulge their passions while sparking personal growth. For more information, please visit Luxury.Marriott.com. ABOUT SOTHEBY'S Established in 1744, Sotheby's promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby's and Concierge. Sotheby's Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby's new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building in New York City, featuring Marcel, 945 Madison Avenue - a new continental restaurant designed by Roman & Williams. *Estimates do not include buyer's premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer's premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid. Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby's apps for iOS and Android. SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.