Sotheby's to Auction Hopper's Wellfleet Sailboat Painting
Edward Hopper's 1944 painting The Martha McKeen of Wellfleet will be offered at Sotheby's New York sale on November 18.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Fine Art
Sotheby's will auction Edward Hopper's 1944 painting The Martha McKeen of Wellfleet as part of The Modern Evening Auction in The New York Sale on November 18. The work, held by the Thyssen-Bornemisza family, will be sold in partnership with Celine.
Why it matters
The painting is one of five major Hopper sailing masterpieces and one of only two still in private hands, making its sale a rare opportunity for collectors. The work has hung in one family's home for more than 45 years.
The painting, dated 1944, is one of five major Hopper sailing masterpieces and one of two remaining in private hands. It has hung on the Thyssen-Bornemisza family's walls for more than 45 years, and its auction price has not yet been disclosed.
The players
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is a major international auction house that runs public sales of fine art and collectibles.
Edward Hopper
Edward Hopper was a twentieth-century American painter best known for his depictions of solitude and modern American life.
The details
The painting depicts a sailboat off the Cape's coast on an August morning and is named after Hopper's friends Martha and Reggie McKeen. Bidders can register through the Sotheby's website to take part in the public auction.
Timeline
1944: Edward Hopper paints The Martha McKeen of Wellfleet.
November 18: The painting is auctioned in The New York Sale.
Market Landscape
This sale adds to the scarce supply of Hopper's major sailing works on the market. With only two of his five major sailing masterpieces still privately held, collectors have few opportunities to acquire one.
Bidders can register through the Sotheby's website to participate in the public auction. The painting will be available to buy only through this auction on November 18.
The takeaway
Major works by American painters rarely reach the open market, so auctions like this one give collectors and the public a rare chance to see them. Interested readers can follow the sale date on November 18.
What happens next
The painting will be offered at The Modern Evening Auction in The New York Sale on November 18.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Fine Art to see how major works like this reach the market.
