New York’s Old Masters auctions delivered major records and strong global bidding, signalling renewed momentum in the historic art market. The week brought high-value sales, rare works, and renewed collector interest, especially for female artists and rediscovered masterpieces.

🎨 Record Results Drive Momentum

Christie’s Old Masters sale achieved $54.3 million with fees, marking the highest total for a New York sale in this category in more than a decade. As a result, the week became a milestone for the historic art market.

Notably, the auctions introduced historically significant works, including pieces that were newly restituted or fresh to market. Meanwhile, competitive bidding came from collectors around the world, which strengthened confidence in the Old Masters sector.

👩‍🎨 Artemisia Gentileschi Sets New Benchmark

One of the most significant highlights involved Artemisia Gentileschi. Her early Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria achieved $5.7 million, setting a new auction record for the artist during its debut sale.

The painting depicts the artist as Saint Catherine, holding a martyr’s palm leaf and wearing royal robes. A spiked wheel appears subtly in the background, reinforcing the saint’s identity.

The work’s debut and record result reflect growing recognition of Gentileschi’s importance in art history.

Consequently, the sale underscored rising collector demand for works by historically overlooked women artists.

🖌️ Michelangelo and Rembrandt Strengthen the Market

The week also produced record-breaking results for Michelangelo and Rembrandt, which further energised the market. These results demonstrated sustained demand for rare Old Master works, especially pieces with strong provenance or new public visibility.

Moreover, the auctions highlighted how rediscovered or newly available works continue to attract strong interest. Therefore, collectors showed willingness to compete aggressively for exceptional historical pieces.

🏛️ Strong Sales Across Key Lots

In addition to individual artist records, the auctions achieved notable results across multiple categories. A Canaletto painting nearly reached a record price, while a 15th-century Hebrew illuminated manuscript achieved a seven-figure sale.

Together, these results reflected a broad-based strength across the Old Masters category. At the same time, the week demonstrated how rare works from different periods can perform strongly in a single sale.

🌍 Renewed Energy in the Old Masters Market

Overall, the auctions delivered renewed confidence and energy in the Old Masters segment. Strong totals, global bidding and multiple records combined to signal a revival in collector interest.

Therefore, the New York sales week stands as a major moment for the market, highlighting both historic masterpieces and changing collector priorities.