Art Fairs

Art Basel Paris Comes Out Swinging With $100M-Plus Modigliani, Big-Dollar Sales

The fair keeps 'getting more and more traction,' a dealer said.

The Grand Palais in the first lusty hours of Art Basel Paris. Photos: Andrew Russeth

by Andrew Russeth Oct 20, 2026

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And now, Paris. The Louvre is open again, after being blockaded by art students and their supporters on Monday. Over in the Marais, workers have been replacing windows that were smashed on Saturday, amid nationwide protests over school conditions and the cost of living.

The restaurants are packed, as they always are, and for those in town for Art Basel , there are parties, like a blowout last night at Laurent that the fair hosted with New York Magazine . Very solid synergy. Investor James Murdoch ’s Lupa Systems , which has a controlling stake in Basel’s parent company, completed its acquisition of the magazine in July.

How’s the fair?…