Eroticon by Celebrated Greek Artist Yiannis Moralis Sells for Over Half a Million EurosYihui Hu’s Cinematic World: Exploring Asian Women’s Identity Across Cultural BoundariesExclusive Interview with ‘Mon Dieu’ Gallery Owners Juno Youn and Spencer Walker | Part 3“Sovrimpressioni” A Photographic Project by Andrea Boyer
Jodi the Nanotyrannus Sells for US$47.3 Million at Sotheby’sQianlong Emperor’s Jewel-Encrusted Gold Ewer Sells for US$7.11 Million at Christie’sHockney’s €282,200 Print Leads Warhol and Banksy in €1.06 Million Bonhams SaleMV Agusta Sells for $1.3 Million, Setting an Italian Motorcycle Auction RecordEnigma Machine Sells for £203,600 at Bonhams: Inside the 1941 Cipher DeviceUzo Egonu’s Will Knowledge Safeguard Freedom I Sets Auction Record at £198,900Yusuf Grillo’s One Man Band Sets Artist Auction Record at £461,300Ben Enwonwu’s Anyanwu Sells for £602,100, Setting a Sculpture Record at BonhamsRare Gandhi Portrait Achieves £152,800, Tripling Its EstimateBanksy’s British Cool Mickey Snake Triumphs at Bonhams, Selling for £330,600Whistler’s First Portrait Commission Sells for Five Times Estimate, Fetching $495,000Bridget Riley Stuns Art World as Myrrh Soars to $2.36M at BonhamsReception in the Harem: Discovered Masterpiece by John Frederick Lewis Shatters Expectations, Selling for Almost $1.5 MillionRare Qianlong 'Dragon' Vase Stuns at Auction, Sells for $3.7 Million—Over Six Times Its EstimateRenowned Vietnamese Artist Nguyen Gia Tri’s War Painting Fetches Over $500,000 at Bonhams

Modern Art

Modern and contemporary art, with artist stories, exhibitions, discoveries, and market news.

Exclusive Interview with Darla Farner: Unconventional Abstract Expressionism

By on • ( 1 Comment )
Darla Farner smiling in a pink blouse in front of a colorful abstract painting.

Darla Farner’s journey as an artist is anything but conventional. From working two part-time jobs while relentlessly pursuing her passion to having her first ten paintings exhibited at the governor’s office, her story is one of perseverance, creativity, and unshakable dedication. Inspired by raw emotion and an unfiltered imagination, her abstract expressionist works captivate with their energy and depth. But despite decades of creating, she has yet to sell a single piece—by choice. Why has she held off on selling her art? And what drives her to keep pushing forward? Read on to discover the fascinating story behind this visionary artist.

Darla Farner: A Trailblazer in Abstract Expressionism

By on • ( 4 Comments )
Darla Farner abstraction with looping brown lines, teal splashes and green forms on pale blue.

Darla Farner’s abstract expressionist paintings captivate with their dynamic energy, vivid color palettes, and emotional depth. Drawing comparisons to Jackson Pollock while maintaining a distinct artistic voice, her work masterfully balances free-flowing abstraction with deliberate geometric structuring. Recognized in ‘Who’s Who in America’ and other prestigious publications, Farner’s journey—from an experimental watercolor workshop to an established presence in the art world—reflects her dedication to creative exploration. With a commitment to artistic freedom and expressive storytelling, her work continues to inspire. Read more about her artistic evolution and impact.

A Love Letter to India: Sayed Haider Raza’s La Terre Sells for Record-Breaking $4.2 Million

By on
Detail of La Terre by Sayed Haider Raza, with black diagonal bands, ochre triangles and textured gold areas.

In a historic moment for South Asian art, Sayed Haider Raza’s ‘La Terre’—an evocative masterpiece described as the artist’s “love letter to India”—has shattered records at Bonhams in London, selling for an astonishing $4.2 million. Painted in 1985, the monumental work captures Raza’s deep connection to his Indian heritage through its striking geometric abstraction and earthy palette. This landmark sale not only highlights the growing global appreciation for modern Indian art but also cements Raza’s legacy as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Discover the story behind the painting, its spiritual roots, and its journey to the auction block.

Sacrificed to Survive: The Artistic Saga of Aixinjueluo Yuting, Descendant of Imperial China’s Last Dynasty

By on • ( 1 Comment )
Yuting Aisin-Gioro in a white shirt and glasses, standing before a painting of horses.

In a journey marked by both devastating loss and profound artistic triumph, Aisin Gioro Yuting’s story is one of survival, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between art and heritage. From watching his family’s priceless treasures destroyed during the Cultural Revolution to rising as a celebrated artist in Hong Kong and Canada, Yuting’s life embodies the power of memory and the enduring spirit of creation. His artwork, particularly his iconic horse paintings, serves not only as a tribute to his ancestry but as a timeless connection to the cultural legacy of China’s imperial past. Discover how Yuting’s remarkable path—from the ashes of destruction to the heights of artistic mastery—continues to inspire and shape the future of his family’s legacy.

Egyptian Artist Hamed Nada’s Painting Shatters Expectations at Bonhams Auction

By on • ( 3 Comments )
A brown figure floats above a yellow, beaked animal in Hamed Nada’s Battle for Liberation.

One of the most significant works by renowned Egyptian modernist Hamed Nada, Battle for Liberation (Maerakat al-Tahrir), stunned the art world at Bonhams’ Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art sale, fetching $274,000—more than triple its pre-sale estimate. Exhibited at a landmark Paris show in 1971, this extraordinary painting captivated collectors with its powerful historical significance and unique provenance. Continue reading to explore HD photos of this Middle Eastern masterpiece.

Surreal Nudes: Paul Delvaux’s Masterpiece L’Orage Sells for $1.6 Million

By on • ( 2 Comments )
Detail of Paul Delvaux’s L’Orage, showing a seated nude woman smelling a flower beside red drapery.

Paul Delvaux’s enigmatic nude masterpiece L’Orage (The Storm)—a haunting tableau of mysterious nudes set against a dramatic thunderstorm—painted in August 1962, recently captivated the art world at Bonhams New Bond Street in London, achieving $1.6 million. Explore the secrets behind Delvaux’s fascination with the human form, the mysterious influences of his childhood, and why this 1962 painting continues to mesmerize the global art market.

Christian Parisot Unveils Volume VI of Modigliani’s Biography and Catalogue Raisonné

By on • ( 2 Comments )
Cropped cover of Christian Parisot’s Modigliani biography, showing its title and a black-and-white portrait.

Christian Parisot’s “Modigliani – Biographie / Catalogue Raisonné,” Volume VI represents the culmination of decades of meticulous research into the life and work of Amedeo Modigliani. Presented at Palazzo Graziani in San Marino, this 415-page publication not only offers an exhaustive account of Modigliani’s artistic journey but also provides invaluable insights through newly uncovered works and rigorous authenticity analyses. With contributions from renowned scholars and a seamless blend of narrative and archival precision, Parisot’s latest volume stands as an essential resource for both art historians and enthusiasts, solidifying Modigliani’s legacy through a modern lens of scholarship.

Jessica Dismorr’s Self-Portrait Sets New Auction World Record at Bonhams

By on
Detail of Jessica Dismorr’s Woman Seated (Self-Portrait), showing a woman holding a pencil beside a window.

Jessica Dismorr, a pioneering figure in British modern art, has achieved a new auction world record at Bonhams’ recent Blazing a Trail: Modern British Women auction. The sale, which ran online from September 9 to 18, showcased the largest known private collection of works by Dismorr, with the centerpiece, Woman Seated (Self-Portrait), selling for £57,600 (approximately $73,000). The final price far surpassed its pre-sale estimate of £4,000–6,000 (approximately $5,000–$7,600), cementing Dismorr’s position as a significant figure in 20th-century art.

Surrealist Art Market Shows Strong Momentum with Record Sales and High Demand

By on • ( 1 Comment )

The surrealist art market is currently experiencing a notable period of growth, evidenced by strong auction results and heightened collector interest. Recent sales in New York, Paris, and London reflect a robust appetite for works from this historically significant movement. René Magritte’s L’empire des Lumières (1954) led the market in 2024, achieving $121.16 million at Christie’s New York—the highest price ever paid for a surrealist artwork. This sale underscores a broader trend of sustained demand for surrealist pieces, both from marquee names and historically underrepresented artists.

Magritte’s Masterpiece Sets Surreal World Record, Selling for $121 Million at Christie’s

By on • ( 1 Comment )
Square detail of René Magritte’s L’empire des Lumières, showing a dark house and lamppost beneath a bright sky.

René Magritte’s “L’empire des Lumières” (1954) has shattered records, selling for an astonishing $121.2 million at Christie’s in New York. This iconic surrealist work, renowned for its haunting juxtaposition of a tranquil daylit sky and a shadowy nocturnal streetscape, captivated collectors in a dramatic bidding war. The sale not only surpassed its $95 million pre-sale estimate but also established a new benchmark for the Belgian artist, solidifying his place among the most sought-after figures in modern art. This masterpiece, part of the late Mica Ertegun’s celebrated collection, has been hailed as a quintessential representation of Magritte’s enigmatic brilliance.