Plus, a recap of our 2023 highlights  â â â â â â â â â ââ  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â  â â â â â â â â â Dear Clients and Friends, As the year draws to a close, Iâd like to reflect on the incredible journey weâve undertaken together at Sothebyâs throughout 2023 â and take a look forward to 2024. This past year, we presented 529 auctions from 55 categories in 31 cities around the world. In the spring, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sothebyâs sales in Asia. At the height of summer, tens of thousands queued around the block to catch a glimpse of the Freddie Mercury collection in London; and amid an electric atmosphere in New York for our fall auctions, a Pablo Picasso masterpiece and a Ferrari 250 GTO contributed to total of well over a billion dollars of sales across just ten days. This is merely a snapshot of what has been one of the strongest ever years for Sothebyâs, with total sales of around $8 billion. Of the 60,000+ lots sold, more than 70 surpassed the $10 million mark, among the highest volume at that level in Sothebyâs history. Of course, the art market has not been immune to the challenges presented by recent geopolitical conflict and economic uncertainty. Yet as the market has become more selective, we have seen a resilient demand for works of the finest quality, of exceptional provenance, and that are fresh to the market. The powerful attraction of owning the greatest works of art, even in times of uncertainty, is borne out in the [second edition]( of the Sothebyâs Insight Report â The Artists Who Power The $1 Million+ Market â which weâve produced in partnership with ArtTactic. Among the reportâs key findings is that a younger generation of collectors is entering the market at the highest level, and that demand for top-tier women artists is surging. The report also pinpoints the unprecedented growth in the value of artworks trading above $1 million in the three years since the pandemic. As its authors write, âthis is testimony to the powerful attraction of owning the greatest works of art during periods of uncertainty.â This year alone, Sothebyâs sold 682 objects valued at $1 million or more. The report â including data-driven expert analysis and a unique âpower rankâ for each of the top 50 artists â is essential reading for all collectors. I encourage you to look it over. One final note on 2023: Iâm so proud Sotheby's has played a pivotal role in raising over $200 million for various non-profit organizations this year, with more than $58 million directed toward museums â a reflection of our ongoing commitment to giving back and making our industries more accessible, sustainable and collaborative. THE YEAR AHEAD Setting our sights on 2024, Iâm delighted to be able to share our [global auction calendar for 2024](. At Sothebyâs, we are a client-first business. This is why, for the first time, weâre releasing the calendar at such an early stage, mindful of the demands of your busy schedules. This new calendar is not simply a list of dates; it represents a fresh sale architecture that will bring Sothebyâs closer to the places that collectors gather, choreographed to be in step with defining cultural events around the world. Alongside our marquee sales, we will continue to bring the magic of Sothebyâs auctions to new and unexpected venues. This will mean more events like the spectacular auction we recently staged at the theatre of the Wynn Las Vegas, in collaboration with the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix. Two moments in the calendar that really stand out are the marquee sales weeks that will inaugurate new premises in Paris and Hong Kong. In the fall, we will open the stunning new Sothebyâs Maison in the heart of Hong Kongâs luxury district and our new Paris flagship in the historic 8th arrondissement. Alongside our plans for the Breuer building in New York, these landmark destinations for art and luxury are emblematic of Sothebyâs long-term investment in iconic gallery spaces. In 1744, the year Sothebyâs was born, founder Samuel Baker sold several hundred âscarce and valuable Books in all branches of Polite Literatureâ in London for a grand total of £826. Today, we continue to build on these foundations, creating platforms for an array of new experiences, innovative selling formats, and immersive exhibitions. As we enter our 280th year, the passion of collectors remains the heartbeat of Sothebyâs. We thank you, as ever, for your continued support. Sincerely yours, Charles F. Stewart
Chief Executive Officer, Sothebyâs @charlesfstewart [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Weibo]( [WeChat]( This email was sent to you by [Sotheby's]( [Manage preferences]( to [unsubscribe]( Download the Sotheby's app for [iOS]( and [Android]( Sotheby's [Auctions]( ...[Buy Now]( ...[Sell]( 1334 York Ave. New York, NY, 10021 Sothebyâs, Inc. License No. 1216058. © 2023