Old Masters Fetch Record Prices at New York Auctions

Sotheby's and Christie's sales see new highs for works by Gentileschi, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Recent Old Masters auctions in New York set new records for several renowned artists, including Artemisia Gentileschi, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. The sales at Sotheby's and Christie's saw strong demand and high prices, with a Rembrandt drawing fetching $17.9 million and a Michelangelo study selling for $27.2 million, nearly 20 times its low estimate. Experts say the results indicate a resurgence of interest in Old Masters among a new generation of collectors.

Why it matters

The strong performance of Old Masters at auction suggests a renewed enthusiasm for the category, which had fallen out of favor in recent years. The record prices achieved for works by Gentileschi, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt demonstrate that there is still significant demand for high-quality Old Master paintings and drawings, even among younger, more contemporary-focused collectors.

The details

The sales at Sotheby's and Christie's were part of Old Masters week in New York, which saw several notable results. At Sotheby's, a two-sided panel painting by Antonello da Messina was sold privately to a public institution for $14.9 million. Christie's Old Masters paintings sale was the house's strongest in 10 years, with a Canaletto work selling for $30.5 million and an Artemisia Gentileschi self-portrait setting a new record for the artist at $5.7 million. The highlight of the week was a previously unknown Michelangelo drawing that sold for $27.2 million at Christie's, nearly 20 times its low estimate.

  • The Old Masters auctions took place during the week of February 11, 2026.
  • The Michelangelo drawing was submitted to Christie's online portal in March 2025.

The players

Sotheby's

An auction house that held successful Old Masters sales in New York during the week.

Christie's

An auction house that held strong Old Masters sales in New York, including the record-setting Michelangelo drawing.

Artemisia Gentileschi

An Italian Baroque painter whose self-portrait set a new auction record at Christie's.

Michelangelo

The Renaissance artist whose previously unknown drawing of the foot of a Sibyl sold for $27.2 million at Christie's, a new record.

Rembrandt van Rijn

The Dutch Old Master whose drawing "Young Lion Resting" sold for $17.9 million, a new record for a Rembrandt work on paper.

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What they’re saying

“What an incredible day, and a highlight of my career. As someone who truly loves and appreciates Old Master drawings, it was exhilarating to have multiple bidders on the phone, in the room, and online, all of whom realized the rarity and significance of this extraordinary object and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity being presented. It was a privilege to be part of it.”

— Giada Damen, Specialist, Christie's (Christie's)

“I was one of three bidders over $20 million—and the estimate was $1.5 million to $2 million! That's the magic of the Old Masters. There's an element of luck and unpredictability that makes it a very fun market.”

— Hugo Nathan, London Adviser, Beaumont Nathan (ARTnews)

What’s next

The Old Masters market will continue to be closely watched for signs of sustained interest and demand from a new generation of collectors.

The takeaway

The record-breaking Old Masters sales in New York demonstrate that there is still significant appetite for high-quality works by renowned artists like Gentileschi, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt, even among younger, more contemporary-focused collectors. This resurgence of interest in the Old Masters category could signal a shift in the art market landscape.