Exhibition Intelligence
Raphael at the Met: blue-chip Renaissance is back
The Metropolitan Museum opens a major Raphael show in March. It brings together paintings, drawings and tapestries. Notably, many works have never been shown side by side before. This is a key moment for collectors interested in big-name Renaissance artists. As a result, museum shows like this drive visibility and confidence. Artnet News (Raphael at the Met) and The Met (New Look at Old Masters).
Zurbarán moves to London and Paris: Spanish art gets museum support
A major Zurbarán show opens at the National Gallery in London. Then, it travels to the Louvre. This is important for the Spanish Golden Age category. Furthermore, museum attention often lifts demand for related material. For example, think devotional paintings, still lifes, and high-quality drawings. Above all, quality and clean condition matter most. Artnet News (Zurbarán dates) and Apollo Magazine (2026 openings).
Master Drawings New York: the works-on-paper buying window
The 20th anniversary edition runs with 36 dealers across the Upper East Side. This is the top US fair for drawings. Moreover, it's a key moment for finding fresh material. Here, condition and provenance matter more than hype. As a result, dealers can find strong stock at sensible prices. Master Drawings New York (fair details) and Fine Art Connoisseur (preview).
Ovid and Tarot: museums connect old and new
The Rijksmuseum and Morgan Library are both running shows that link Old Masters to modern art. One explores Ovid's myths through the ages. Meanwhile, the other traces tarot from Renaissance Italy to today. These shows prove Old Masters content can attract younger audiences. Therefore, it's a useful signal for dealers thinking about how to position their stock. Artnet News (Ovid & Tarot shows) and Apollo Magazine (museum calendar).
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Tanya is a leading international art advisor based in London and Hong Kong, specialising in post-war modern and contemporary art for private and institutional clients.
Market Signals
Christie's New York: $54m total, highest since 2012
Christie's Old Masters sale in New York made $54.13m. It's the strongest result there in over a decade. A Canaletto reached $30.5m. Additionally, strong bidding came for Italian Baroque works. The message is clear: when artist, subject, condition and history align, global buyers still compete hard. Christie's (press release) and Apollo Magazine (auction round-up).
Sotheby's London: Rembrandt and triptych drive £30.7m sale
Sotheby's December evening sale made £30.7m. In fact, it was the house's strongest London Old Master evening in five years. A late Rembrandt sold for £6.8m. Meanwhile, a rare 15th-century triptych reached £5.7m—double the estimate. Dealers note that "best and the rest" still defines this market. Consequently, top-quality material finds strong demand. Apollo Magazine (Sotheby's sale) and The Art Newspaper (Old Masters coverage).
Modern collectors are buying Old Masters
Christie's and Sotheby's both report growing interest from modern art collectors. For instance, four of five bidders for a Gerrit Dou at Christie's were contemporary art buyers. Specialists say these collectors now see value in Old Masters. In addition, average bidders per lot rose from 2.8 to 3.8 at Christie's year-on-year. This is a meaningful shift. Apollo Magazine (crossover bidding) and The Art Newspaper (market trends).
Sales move to February: New York calendar shifts
The New York Old Master sales have moved from late January to early February. Now, both houses frame this as "Masters Week." It's a clear strategy: fewer, better sales with seasonal focus. For advisors, this means key buying windows are more packed. Therefore, early research and condition reports are now essential. Apollo Magazine (calendar change) and Sotheby's (Masters Week).
Artist Visibility
Canaletto: $30.5m result backs "iconic view" premium
Christie's sold a large Canaletto of Venice for $30.5m in New York. It's another record moment for the artist. Clearly, auction houses have confidence in big Venetian views. Moreover, strong Canaletto results often lift related material. For example, other view painters, high-quality drawings, and workshop pieces. Therefore, dealers should watch for knock-on effects. Christie's (Canaletto result) and The Art Newspaper (Canaletto market).
Artemisia Gentileschi: new world record set
Christie's New York set a new auction record for Artemisia Gentileschi. In addition, the house noted "strong bidding" for Italian Baroque works. Top-tier Baroque with strong stories remains a priority. Advisors should review client holdings: do they have a strong Italian Baroque piece? If not, drawings offer an easier route. Christie's (Gentileschi record) and The Art Newspaper (Baroque bidding).
Gerrit Dou: perfect technique attracts modern buyers
A Gerrit Dou painting sold for £3.8m at Christie's London. The work hadn't appeared on the market for 125 years. Notably, four of the five bidders were contemporary art collectors. Specialists say perfect condition and technical skill are drawing new buyers. This shows that quality crosses categories for wealthy collectors. Apollo Magazine (Dou sale analysis) and The Art Newspaper (crossover collecting).
Rembrandt prints: record £3.1m for a single etching
A rare Rembrandt print sold for £3.1m at Christie's. It's a record for any Old Master print. The work came from the Sam Josefowitz collection. Remarkably, it hadn't appeared at auction for 101 years. This shows the market for great works on paper. Overall, rarity and condition drive value, even in prints. Apollo Magazine (Josefowitz sale) and The Art Newspaper (print market).
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Social Media Buzz
Show lists are being shared by collectors and advisors
Collector networks are passing around the "5 Essential Old Masters Shows for 2026" article on LinkedIn and Instagram. These shares signal what collectors think is important. For galleries, the lesson is clear: package your Old Master content as viewing tips. One image, one fact, one market insight. Above all, make it easy to share. LinkedIn (collector share) and Instagram (show post).
Specialist Instagram accounts keep Old Masters visible
Accounts focused on Old Master paintings (not general art news) drive steady interest. They work as visual lists. Collectors use them for casual discovery. Meanwhile, dealers can track which subjects and schools get saves and shares. It's simple market research. The best accounts focus on detail and quality, not volume. Instagram (@oldmasterpaintings) and Christie's (auction results draw attention).
Forward Calendar
February 2026: Masters Week + Master Drawings New York
- Sotheby's Masters Week, New York: Seasonal series for Old Masters programming. Details here.
- Christie's Old Masters Week, New York: Early February auctions (moved from January). Schedule details.
- Master Drawings New York 2026: 20th anniversary edition. 36 dealers across Upper East Side galleries. Fair website and preview.
Spring & Summer 2026: key museum shows
- Raphael at The Met, New York: March 29–June 28. Major visibility for Renaissance "name" artists. Show details.
- Zurbarán: National Gallery, London (then Louvre, Paris): Spanish Golden Age gets museum support. Watch for lift in related categories. Tour dates.
- Ovid's Metamorphoses at Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam: February 6–May 25. Links Old Masters to modern art. Show overview.
- Tarot at the Morgan Library, New York: October 30, 2026–January 31, 2027. Renaissance to contemporary. Morgan details.
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