Sotheby's Will Auction Masterpieces in New York
A collection of 12 iconic paintings is expected to fetch $450 million at a New York auction this November.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Fine Art
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Sotheby's will auction a collection of 12 major paintings on November 18, 2026, in New York City. The auction house anticipates the sale will reach a total value of $450 million.
Why it matters
The sale includes rare works by Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cezanne that have been kept in private hands for decades, offering a rare opportunity for collectors. The event is projected to set new auction records for individual pieces by these legendary artists.
The collection includes Van Gogh's 'Chataigniers en fleurs', valued at $180 million, and Cezanne's 'Arlequin', estimated at $120 million. 'Arlequin' has not been seen in public since 1975.
The players
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is one of the worlds largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewelry, real estate, and collectibles.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who became one of the most influential figures in Western art history.
Paul Cezanne
Paul Cezanne was a French artist and Post-Impressionist painter whose work laid the foundations of the transition to 20th-century art.
Carlos Pedro Blaquier
Carlos Pedro Blaquier was an Argentine businessman and art collector who amassed significant assets in the 1970s.
Nelly Blaquier de Arrieta
Nelly Blaquier de Arrieta was a prominent art collector who co-acquired this collection during the 1970s.
The details
The collection was originally acquired in London during the 1970s by Carlos Pedro Blaquier and Nelly Blaquier de Arrieta. Sotheby's is currently using digital showcases for the remaining items and plans to tour several paintings globally prior to the physical event.
Timeline
The Blaquier family acquired the collection during the 1970s.
Cezanne's 'Arlequin' had its last public sighting in 1975.
The painting 'Les Joueurs de cartes' was sold in 2011.
Five paintings were unveiled at an exhibition in London on September 24, 2026.
The New York auction is scheduled for November 18, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This auction follows the market pattern established by the 2011 sale of Cezanne's Les Joueurs de cartes, which set a high benchmark for the artist's work. The anticipated record-breaking prices reflect the ongoing scarcity of high-value Impressionist works in the global market.
Collectors and art enthusiasts can view select works in galleries worldwide ahead of the sale to experience the pieces in person. While the auction is invitation-heavy, digital exhibitions allow the public to view the collection prior to the November event.
The takeaway
The upcoming sale highlights the immense value held by private collections of Impressionist masters. Investors often use these rare auction opportunities to track shifts in the valuation of historical art assets.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the art market, visit the Fine Art section.
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