Claude Monet died in 1926 and to mark the centenary Christie’s has just announced the auction of Bord des falaises à Pourville estimated at €11–15 million. Encouraged by his dealer Paul Durand-Ruel, Monet travelled to Pourville in Normandy in 1882 for what would become one of the most prolific periods of his career. Part of a landmark series within the artist’s oeuvre, Bord des falaises à Pourville is further distinguished by its exceptional provenance, having come directly from Paul Durand-Ruel’s personal collection. The painting will highlight of Christie’s sale of the Durand-Ruel Collection in Paris next October 22 during Art Basel Paris week.
If you thought that getting tickets for Glastonbury was difficult then try getting to see one of the wonders of the medieval world. The 70 metre long Bayeux Tapestry, depicting events leading up to the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings in 1066, is the hottest ticket in London town. The tapestry has returned to England for the first time since it was made nearly 1,000 years ago. Historians believe it was commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, half brother to William the Conqueror.
Stitched in wool on linen fabric – so not actually a tapestry – it was made by women in England, possibly nuns, before being taken across the Channel. It offers a vision of life in 11th century England before and after the Conquest, from castles, warfare and ships to clothing, food and furniture. It will be on display laid flat and in one long line at the British Museum from next September until July 2027. Demand has been unprecedented with almost 100,000 tickets sold on the first day. Around 7.5 million visitors are expected to see it in England, with tickets being released in phases by the British Museum.
Jackson Pollock’s Number 7A 1948 is the most expensive painting sold at auction this year.
Record half year results at Christie’s and Sotheby’s reveal an international market that is booming. In an unequal world that is wealthier than ever before it has been an extraordinary year so far on many fronts.
In the first six months of 2026 consolidated sales at Sotheby’s hit $4.4 billion (€3.85 billion), a 58% increase on the same period in 2025. Christie’s reported first half revenues of $4.6 billion (€4.02 billion) in the same period and sold the most expensive painting.
Jackson Pollock’s Number 7A 1948 made a record $181.2 million (€158.39 million) in New York in May, a record for the artist and a record for a painting sold at auction this year.
All markets are subject to highs and lows but the current boom is different. This market is driven by quality. Buyers are parting with their money with great discrimination. Speculative spenders are absent. The onus on auction houses is to find works to sell that are of museum quality.
Constantin Brancusi – Danaïde sold for $107 million (€93.53 million) at Christie’s.
How is this achieved? Much of the answer lies in collections. The taste for high art develops as serious interest grows. Most people expand their horizons during their collecting journey. There is so much to learn. Art collecting is a lifetime interest that richly rewards anyone, wealthy or not. But the fabulous collections amassed by discriminating and wealthy collectors over many years underpin the successes seen so far in 2026.
The Pollock painting came from the private collection of the late Condé Nast publisher S I Newhouse. The sale price nearly tripled the previous record for the artist and propelled the Newhouse Collection forward to achieve $631 million (€551.56 million). The 20th Century evening sale at Christie’s on the same May evening in New York made $490.3 million (€428.57 million) for an evening art sale total of over $1.1 billion (€960 million).
Pablo Picasso – Portrait of Dora Maar from the Lewis Collection.
At the Masterpieces from The Lewis Collection sale at Sotheby’s in London 25 paintings made £296 million (€342.95 million) and nine works, led by Modigliani’s Seated Nude with Necklace (£48.2 million – €55.84 million), sold for more than ten million. In total the collection of former Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis made £355.02 million (€417.43 million) to become the highest value single owner collection ever sold in the UK. In New York Robert Mnuchin’s collection of the titans of American Abstract Expressionism made $173 million (€152.22 million).
The first single owner design sale at Sotheby’s new hq at The Breuer building in New York – the collection of Jean and Terry de Gunzberg – made $96 million (€83.91). This was the most valuable design sale in US auction history.
Both Sotheby’s and Christie’s have a pipeline of autumn and winter sales that promise to make 2026 a year to remember in the saleroom.
One of over 200 fireplaces in Aidan Foley’s online sale.
The entire contents of Noble Fireplaces, Pouladuff, Cork will be offered by Aidan Foley as one lot in an online auction next Monday evening (July 27). James O’Driscoll is retiring after many years in business. There are more than 200 marble, slate and cast iron fireplaces including 18th century examples and around 20 pallets of furniture from the old Jury’s Hotel in Ballsbridge. Contents include longcase clocks, furniture, mirrors, lighting and architectural items. Viewing is by appointment and offers in the region of €45,000 are sought.
UPDATE: THIS AUCTION HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND IS NOW DUE TO TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 10.
World Cup Earthball inscribed by Chris Martin with names of performers at halftime show UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR $6,050
Fans across the globe can bid on authentic game-used balls, jerseys signed by national teams, and outfits worn by performers in the first-ever FIFA World Cup 2026 Final halftime show at a charity auction online. Christie’s and Global Citizen have an online sale at Christie’s from until July 29. Proceeds will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative to raise $100 million to expand access to quality education and sports for children in underserved communities, supporting grassroots organisations worldwide. Lots on offer include a ball used during the final on July 19, jerseys signed by Lionel Messi, Carlos Henrique, David Beckham, Santiago Jiminez, the US team and more. There is clothing used by Shakira, Chris Martin, BTS, Madonna and Justin Bieber during the half time show along with lots of World Cup 2026 memorabilia.
Henry Morgan (b.1952) – The Burren, Near Fanore (2026). UPDATE: THIS MADE 700 AT HAMMER
The Burren, Near Fanore (2026) by Henry Morgan is lot 12 at Morgan O’Driscoll’s off the wall online art auction which runs until July 27. The oil on canvas is estimated at €600-900. The sale offers more than 400 works of affordable art by a wide variety of artists from Brian Ballard and John Kingerlee to Markey Robinson and Arthur Maderson. The most expensively estimated lot at €3,000-5,000 is Asterisk – Spin Painting, an acrylic on card by Damien Hirst with a studio stamp and a signature stamp. The catalogue for the sale is online.
GEORGE III SEMI ELLIPTICAL SIDE TABLE UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,200 AT HAMMER
This Georgian side table is lot 38 at Adam’s timed online warehouse auction which runs until July 23. The shaped top is inlaid with a radial sunburst. The compartmented frieze has with burr walnut ovals and is cross banded in satinwood. Standing on squared tapering legs with block feet the table is estimated at just €400-€600. There are 307 lots in the sale, most will be sold without reserve in an estimate range of €80-€500.
When outside becomes too much how about finding hot art in cool galleries. There is much to feast the eyes on and plenty of food for thought at exhibitions up and down the country right now.
VI Decades is the title of a newly opened show by Tim Goulding at Taylor Galleries in Dubiln. The painter, poet and musician, who has based himself near Allihies on the Beara Peninsula since 1969, has long worked in series so a survey of six decades is of great interest. Goulding has exhibited extensively in Ireland, the UK, Portugal and the US. The show runs until August 22.
Tom Climent – Promiseful Journey at the Lavit Gallery.
Variety is the hallmark of the summer exhibition just underway at the Lavit Gallery in Cork. This group show offers painting, print, photography and craft. Up to 40 artists and makers are involved including Tom Climent, John Behan, Debbie Dawson, Victor Richardson, Rachel Joynt, Billy Foley and Johnny Bugler. You can catch it until August 29.
Quantum Listening by Trudi van der Elsen at the Limerick City Gallery until August 30 is the arresting title of a show by the multi-media artist from The Netherlands now based in the west of Ireland. The work explores the relationship between the human body and the wider world and the invisible frequencies that connect them. Working across painting, photography, video and performance the artists weaves forms of matter, agency, subjectivity and objectivity.
Trudi van der Elsen – Root System at the Limerick City Gallery of Art.
The seasonal programme at Lismore Castle Arts runs until October 25. Salon is a show of 40 paintings staged in a theatrical mise-en-scéne throughout the gallery space. There is art by Stephen McKenna, Na Kim, Lisa Brica, Andrew Cranston, Elizabeth Magill, Adam Keay, Merlin James, Karen Barbour and others in a salon like hang accompanied by informal gathering of chairs which visitors are encouraged to use.
Summer in Dublin at the Kerlin Gallery offers art by Dorothy Cross, Isabel Nolan, Sean Scully, Liliane Tomasko, Zhou Li, Guggi, Mark Francis, Callum Innes, Nathalie du Pasquier and more until August 22.
The works at Mycelium by Kate O’Shea at Visual in Carlow weave through contexts in Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Palestine and other places where her network extends to. A selection of textiles gathered during her recent time in Western Australia hand printed on at Cork Printmakers are brought together in an installation in the main gallery that marks some of her concerns like land, imperialism and networks of solidarities.
The Future is Open, which marks the 20th anniversary of Solstice Arts Centre in Navan, is a celebration of future possibilities. Alternative environments and future realities are presented through a cross-section of photography, film, sculptural installation and painting in an exhibition that continues until August 29. There is work by acclaimed artists like Grace Weir, Willie Doherty Sibyl Montague, Bernadette Kiely, Isabel Nolan and others.
Infinity Loops by Meadhbh O’Connor at 11 Parnell Square.
A spectacular new artwork by Meadhbh O’Connor has been unveiled at 11 Parnell Square, Dublin, Ireland’s new home for poetry and heritage. Funded through the per cent for art scheme Infinity Loops forms the dramatic centrepiece at the double height entrance to the historic Georgian building. Interlinked loops trace endless figure eight pathways inspired by Celtic knotwork, wrought iron detailing and the architectural language of the building. Changing with the light throughout the day the sculpture casts shifting colour, reflection and movement through the building.
This small sample of what can be seen this summer demonstrates how vibrant, challenging and open to new ideas from home and abroad mainstream art in Ireland has become. Change is happening rapidly all around us. The increased visual awareness it brings is everywhere on view.
John Behan – Famine Ship UPDATE: THIS MADE 11,500 AT HAMMER
A unique bronze Famine Ship by John Behan is among the lots at Morgan O’Driscoll’s current Irish art online auction which runs until next Monday evening (July 20). The estimate is €10,000-€15,000. Among the leading lots in this auction is art by Donald Teskey, Liam O’Neill, John Shinnors, Mainie Jellett, Markey Robinson and Graham Knuttel. There are 254 lots on offer and the catalogue is online.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time Zinedine Zidane – who won his World Cup Medal for France in 1998 and Player of the Tournament in the 2006 World Cup – will sell his first personal watch for charity at Christie’s in Geneva on November 9. The Cartier Pasha was the first watch he bought for himself at the beginning of his professional career in Bordeaux nearly 35 years ago and he has worn it ever since. It will be sold in aid of the European Leukodystrophies Association (ELA) as part of a charitable sale of watches. ELA is a non profit organisation which funds medical research, raises public awareness and provides support to families dealing with diseases that destroy the central nervous system.
