Art Market Minute

Monet Madness in France

Plus, Barbara Hepworth dominates in London and inside the decision to cut Art Basel Paris short.

Aurelie Vandervoorde, head of Impressionist and modern art at Sotheby’s, fielding bids during Sotheby's Paris sale of the Schlumberger Collection. © Micha Patault. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.

Sonia Manalili & Margaret Carrigan Oct 26, 2026

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Paris just wrapped its biggest fall auction week yet and a hundred years after his death, Claude Monet stole the show. The artist’s small seascape from the cliffs of Pourville led Christie’s sale of works from the Durand-Ruel Collection at roughly $14 million. Later that same day, Sotheby’s sold Monet’s Iris , from his final years at Giverny, for about $56 million, making it the most expensive artwork ever sold in France.

Plus, Barbara Hepworth ‘s sculptures took the top three spots at Christie’s modern British and Irish art sale.…