Highlights from New Orleans Auction Galleries' Spring Fine Art and Design Sale

The upcoming auction features works by modern and contemporary masters across painting, sculpture, and mixed media.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:09pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shimmering, glittering gold and silver textures in dramatic high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the glamour and luxury of a high-end art auction.The upcoming New Orleans Auction Galleries sale promises a dazzling array of modern and contemporary masterpieces across painting, sculpture, and mixed media.New Orleans Today

New Orleans Auction Galleries' Fine Art and Design sale on April 23, 2026 will feature 279 lots spanning over a century of creative output, from blue-chip masters to contemporary icons. The sale includes works that explore the human form, sexuality, the metaphysical, and social/political themes, offering something for every type of collector.

Why it matters

This auction provides a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors to acquire significant pieces by renowned artists who have helped shape the trajectory of modern and contemporary art, particularly in the American South and Mexico. The diverse range of mediums, styles, and subject matter reflects the rich cultural heritage and artistic innovation of the region.

The details

The sale features a range of notable lots, including an intriguing gouache on paper by 20th-century Mexican modernist master José Clemente Orozco, a seminal work by Abstract Expressionist Grace Hartigan, a politically charged painting by Southern Regionalist John McCrady, a vibrant and symbolically charged canvas by African-American artist Floyd Newsum, and a mixed media piece by text-based artist Peter Sacks that incorporates sheets of text and language-based motifs.

  • The Fine Art and Design sale will be held on April 23, 2026 at 10 a.m. CDT.

The players

New Orleans Auction Galleries

A leading auction house in New Orleans that specializes in fine art, antiques, and design.

José Clemente Orozco

A Mexican painter considered a progenitor of the Mexican Mural Renaissance, known for his highly stylized and emotionally charged works that drew from Social Realism and Symbolism.

Grace Hartigan

A pivotal figure within the second-generation Abstract Expressionists, recognized for her vivacious color palettes and energetic brushwork.

John McCrady

A leading artist of the American South, known for his Regionalist paintings that focused on the lives and struggles of everyday people.

Floyd Newsum

A celebrated American artist known for his use of vibrant color and symbolic imagery drawn from his personal life, interests, and West African culture.

Peter Sacks

A professor of English and American literature whose work often incorporates sheets of text or other language-based motifs, synthesizing paper- and text-based mediums with traditional modes of painting and collage.

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What they’re saying

“The Fine Art and Design sale brings together an exciting selection of works that reflect some of the most enduring ideas in modern and contemporary art.”

— Michele Carolla, Director of Fine Art

What’s next

The Fine Art and Design sale at New Orleans Auction Galleries will be held on April 23, 2026 at 10 a.m. CDT.

The takeaway

This auction showcases the rich artistic heritage and innovation of the American South and Mexico, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire significant works by renowned modern and contemporary masters across a variety of mediums and styles.