$180 Million Van Gogh to Test New York Auctions as Sales Target $2.4 Billion
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Nov 14
$180 Million Van Gogh to Test New York Auctions as Sales Target $2.4 Billion
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Nov 14
Summary
$180 million is the estimate for Van Gogh’s “Châtaigniers en fleurs,” a half-century-hidden work set to headline New York auctions expected to gauge top-end collector confidence next week.
$2.4 billion in sales is projected across Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Phillips, with Sotheby’s alone expected to exceed $1.1 billion and the Blaquier-Arrieta collection valued at $450 million.
Strong equity markets, rising private wealth and rare fresh-to-market consignments are driving demand, auction executives said, with buyers still chasing blue-chip works despite recent stock volatility and AI-bubble fears.
The rebound has already shown up in 2026 data: first-half auction sales rose 70% to $6.8 billion, while Impressionist and Modern sales jumped 133%, suggesting the best works are leading the recovery.