Rising uncertainty keeps buyers and sellers on the sidelines
This season’s results underscore the prevailing caution in the market, closing 10.6% below May 2024 levels and 7.6% below those of November 2024. Although the rate of decline appears to be levelling off, there was little evidence this week to indicate a near-term recovery.

ABOUT THIS REPORT:

This report presents an in-depth comparative analysis of the Impressionist, Modern, Post-War and Contemporary art evening sales at Christie's, Sotheby’s and Phillips in New York in May 2025. The analysis also provides analytical tools looking at 10-year annual trends between 2016 and 2025.

Contents

Overview
Sale Results Comparison
Auction Analysis
Historical Auction Performance
Top Prices & Top Performers
Auction Guarantee Analysis
Sotheby’s
Christie’s
Phillips