London's autumn auction season is set to draw collectors from across Europe and beyond as Christie's presents a carefully curated sale of modern and contemporary art on 14 October. The roughly fifty lots span some of the most recognisable names in twentieth-century painting, from Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse to Andy Warhol and Paul Signac.
Among the standout pieces is a rare canvas by Wassily Kandinsky, the Russian-born pioneer of abstract art who spent his final years in France. The work carries an estimate of up to £25 million (around €30 million), reflecting both its scarcity and its significance within Kandinsky's oeuvre. Another heavyweight is a composition by Piet Mondrian, the Dutch master of geometric abstraction, which could fetch as much as £30 million (€35 million).
A personal touch from Hockney
While the blue-chip names dominate the headlines, the sale also includes a more intimate work: a portrait by the late David Hockney of his beloved dachshund. The painting, which captures the affectionate bond between the artist and his pet, is estimated at up to €3 million. It offers a softer counterpoint to the grand abstractions and is likely to appeal to collectors who value the personal narratives behind the art.
Hockney, who died in 2023, was one of Britain's most beloved artists, known for his vibrant landscapes and portraits. His dog paintings, created over several decades, have become some of his most endearing works, often depicting the animals in domestic settings with a warm, almost tender realism.
The auction also includes works by Picasso, whose later paintings continue to command strong prices, and Warhol, whose pop-art icons remain a staple of the market. Matisse's bold colour fields and Signac's pointillist seascapes add further diversity to the catalogue.
Christie's has not disclosed the total pre-sale estimate, but the combination of a Kandinsky and a Mondrian alone suggests the sale could generate well over £100 million. The auction house has seen robust demand for top-tier works in recent seasons, with European buyers playing a significant role alongside collectors from Asia and the Americas.
For those unable to attend in person, the sale will be livestreamed, and bidding is available online. The auction takes place at Christie's headquarters on King Street, a venue that has hosted some of the most important art sales in history.
This event follows a pattern of high-profile auctions in London, which remains a key hub for the global art market despite competition from New York and Paris. Earlier this year, a collection of unseen Monet canvases went under the hammer in Paris, underscoring the continent's enduring appeal to collectors.
As the art world watches, the London sale promises to be a barometer for the current state of the market, with estimates that reflect both the rarity of the works and the confidence of sellers. Whether the Kandinsky and Mondrian meet their high expectations remains to be seen, but the presence of Hockney's dog adds a touch of warmth to an otherwise formidable lineup.
