Sotheby's Opens Bidding on Contemporary Realism Masterworks

Sotheby's presents "Contemporary Realism: Important 21st Century Works," an auction celebrating figurative depth and narrative power. Among the premier offerings is Harriet Tubman - The Beacon of Hope, a striking work carrying a low estimate of $60,000 and a high estimate of $80,000. It is accompanied by Watching the Dance, which shares a low estimate of $60,000 and a high estimate of $80,000, capturing a moment of quiet observation. Other notable lots include Felices Por Siempre, with a low estimate of $30,000 and a high estimate of $40,000, and Fragrance of Books II, with a low estimate of $30,000 and a high estimate of $40,000, evoking quiet literary spaces. Collectors will also find The Garden, which carries a low estimate of $25,000 and a high estimate of $35,000, alongside Artemis Alone at the River of Extinction, with a low estimate of $25,000 and a high estimate of $35,000. Finally, Pride features a low estimate of $25,000 and a high estimate of $35,000, while His Nurturer carries a low estimate of $25,000 and a high estimate of $35,000, concluding the premier group.

This event follows a busy summer sequence for the house. In July, Sotheby's hosted The CEO's Uniform | Jensen Huang's Tom Ford Leather Jacket, which realized $960,000. That same month, the house presented The Beautiful Game, bringing in $6,578,816, and Contemporary Discoveries, which achieved $7,734,656.

For industry observers, this sale enters a highly active landscape. This year, the broader art category has reached $232,654,277 in total realized value across all tracked houses, maintaining an average sell-through rate of 86.2%, with Phillips leading the category. Sotheby's overall performance across all its sales this year stands at $25,979,065. Within the house's specific tracked segment, Sotheby's has achieved $21,723,392 in year-to-date realized value, maintaining a strong sell-through rate of 91.2%. This auction represents one of eight sales concluded this year.

The auction is currently open for bidding now, offering a fresh test of the contemporary realism market.