Sotheby's to Auction Four Picasso Paintings in November
The works will be sold at a Modern Evening Auction in New York City on 18 November.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Fine Art
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Sotheby's will auction a group of four late-period paintings by Pablo Picasso on 18 November 2026. Titled Picasso's Heroic Years, the collection is currently on a public exhibition tour in Paris.
Why it matters
The sale marks a significant return to the market for two of the works, which have not been seen by the public since 1970. The collection features pieces executed by the artist between 1964 and 1972.
The group of paintings is collectively estimated to fetch between $30 million and $42 million at auction. Individual estimates range from $15 million to $20 million for Femme nue et homme au fanion, down to $2.5 million for specific smaller works.
The players
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is a global broker of art and luxury goods that conducts high-profile auctions for significant historical works.
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso was a prolific 20th-century Spanish artist known for co-founding the Cubist movement and his extensive body of work.
The details
The four paintings offered are Femme nue et homme au fanion, Couple, Le Peintre et son modèle, and Nu. These works were painted between 1964 and 1972 and are currently being displayed as part of an international exhibition tour.
Timeline
Le Peintre et son modèle was painted between 12 and 14 November 1964.
Femme nue et homme au fanion was painted on 29 July 1969.
Couple was painted on 12 January 1970.
Nu was painted between 1 and 3 May 1972.
The works will be sold at auction on 18 November 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This auction highlights the continued demand for late-period works by major 20th-century masters in a competitive global art market. The high-value offerings underscore the role of major auction houses in surfacing long-held private collections for public sale.
The public can currently view these rare paintings in Paris as they circulate through an international exhibition tour before the sale. Those interested in the final auction results can monitor the event scheduled for 18 November in New York.
The takeaway
These works offer a rare glimpse into the artist's output during his final decade of production. Collectors and art historians often monitor such high-profile sales to track shifts in the valuation of late-career masterpieces.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving market for masterworks, visit the New York City Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
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