International

About 80% of the global art market by value takes place outside the UK. The largest art market in the world is the US with China in third place (after the UK) followed by France, Germany and Switzerland.

Many more nations have a rich art and antiques heritage with active auction, dealer, fair, gallery and museum sectors even if their market size by value is smaller.

Read the top stories and latest art and antiques news from all these countries.

Duncan Grant picture

More than £200m collected since launch of Artist’s Resale Right

05 February 2026

To mark the 20th anniversary of Artist’s Resale Right, collecting agencies the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) and the Artists’ Collecting Society (ACS) have issued updates on the amount collected and how it is distributed.

Lion drawing by Rembrandt

Rembrandt’s lion drawing takes $15m bid at Sotheby’s

04 February 2026

A Rembrandt (1606-69) sketch of a lion set the highest price for a drawing at auction by the artist when it sold for $15m (£10.9m) at Sotheby’s in New York today.

John Galliano painted silk evening gown

Christian Dior Haute Couture collection takes €6m at auction

04 February 2026

The white glove sale of a collection of modern Christian Dior Haute Couture from a wealthy fashion fan has set four world records.

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Klein TWA poster work flies increasingly high at auction

30 January 2026

Although he produced work for Broadway, Hollywood and the US Army, David Klein (1918-2005) is best remembered for the Jet Age posters he created for Howard Hughes and Trans World Airlines.

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Bentzon bowl spotted by young but savvy buyer

30 January 2026

Discovery recalls earliest American silversmith of African descent

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Dynamic duo brought daring Art Nouveau to Rozenburg

30 January 2026

The Plateelbakkerij Rozenburg (Royal Delftware Factory) was established in The Hague in 1883 in the hope of making blue and white tin-glazed earthenwares.

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Kluge gifts keep on giving to Columbia University

30 January 2026

The primary draw to a sale at Roland Auctions (30% buyer’s premium) was a series of lots benefiting Columbia University.

Alexandra and Nicola Whittaker

Business launches and new joiners across the world of art and antiques

28 January 2026

The latest Movers and Shakers from auction houses, galleries, advisors and associations

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London specialist takes Nordic works to New York showcase

23 January 2026

Swedish artists are especially prominent in show staged by first-time exhibitor at Master Drawings

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Modern art specialist stages show of works by Jean Lurçat and Breon O’Casey

23 January 2026

The art world descends on New York in the closing days of January. The Winter Show, Master Drawings New York, and a number of sales at the major auction houses make the season de rigeur for major collectors.

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Paris gallery G Sarti salutes its late founder

23 January 2026

This year marks both the 50th anniversary of the opening of Galerie G Sarti and only a few months since the death of its founder.

Cedric Morris Surrealist Landscape

UK dealers commit to New York: highlights at The Winter Show this month

21 January 2026

Despite its New York City setting, The Winter Show draws a clutch of UK dealers every year.

Hans Baldung drawing

Rare unpublished Hans Baldung drawing emerges in France

20 January 2026

A small drawing by Hans Baldung (c.1484-1545) which has been in the same family for over 500 years will be offered at auction in March.

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Pick of the week: Pair of andirons designed by EW Godwin head to Texas

16 January 2026

Cotswolds dealer Paul Shutler has sold a pair of EW Godwin-designed andirons to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

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New York auction extravaganza includes ingots dubbed Australia’s first gold ‘coinage’

16 January 2026

Some of the rarest coins in world numismatics were sold at auction in New York last week. Auction sessions spanning seven consecutive days (January 12-18) were held as part of the annual New York International Numismatic Convention, the US’s largest and most prestigious numismatic event known as NYINC.

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Full first edition, first impression set of Lord of the Rings makes new high at auction

16 January 2026

A set of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings realised a premium-inclusive $250,000 (£187,500) at Heritage Auctions of Dallas.

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Go large for an exceptional Meiji vase

16 January 2026

A recent sale at Marion Antique Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Marion, Massachusetts included a large Meiji vase by Kanamori Soshichi (1821-92).

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Hunt for impressive Michael Angelo Hayes work ends in an auction record

16 January 2026

A notable Irish hunting painting that emerged at Fonsie Mealy (25% buyer’s premium including VAT) at the end of last year drew “very spirited bidding” according to the Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny saleroom.

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How Japanese lacquer moved into the modern era

16 January 2026

Working in Japanese urushi lacquer requires patience. Harvested from the sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, it is built up slowly, layer by layer, each stage requiring careful drying and polishing under controlled conditions.

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Gallery hopes to reap rewards of cross-collecting

16 January 2026

Pairing old with new has become a familiar tactic in the art market.

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