Sotheby's New York Results
February 5 2026
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Sotheby's New York Master Paintings & Works of Art Part I sale realised $27,896,650 (all prices include commission) with 85.42% of lots sold / 80.4% including withdrawn lots.*
The lots that soared past their estimates included Fragonard's head study (pictured) which realised $2,734,000 over its $600k - $800k estimate, a curious 'French or Flemish School' portrait which made an impressive $2,307,000 over its $200k - $300k estimate, a Renaissance portrait by Biagio d'Antonio which also made $2,307,000 over its $800k - $1.2m estimate, a Giovanni Bellini and Workshop Woman at her Toilette which went for $2,002,000 over its $600k - $800k estimate, and a pair of Paters which realised $1,079,500 over their $400k - $600k estimate.
The curious news of the sale was the withdrawal of Antonello da Messina's Ecce Homo, which was the top lot of the sale carrying an estimate of $10m - $15m. As the lot was both 'guaranteed' and carrying an irrevocable bid, we can only speculate as to why this may have been (or await a formal announcement for the reason in due course).
* - It appears 3 lots were withdrawn.
