20th Century

Twentieth-century art, design, and collectible objects, with artist stories, exhibitions, and auction results. Coverage connects individual works and objects with the creative movements and cultural changes of their time.

Bruton + CO announces new ZERO and Beyond exhibition

Detail of Paolo Scheggi’s Intersuperficie Curva Bianca, showing circular openings and diagonally layered white surfaces.

Bruton + Co is proud to present its upcoming exhibition, ZERO and Beyond, at its Mayfair showroom. The exhibition will bring together works by some of the most influential and innovative international artists of the 20th and 21st Centuries, united by their radical exploration of the lightest colour, white, through masterful use of shade, texture, emotion and surface. The show opens on the 9th October 2025 and will be on view until the end of the year. 

African Artist Sekoto Shatters Expectations at Auction, Selling for Over Half a Million USD—Four Times the Estimate

Detail of Gerard Sekoto’s The Artist’s Brother: a seated man in a white shirt holding a newspaper.

The late South African artist Gerard Sekoto has once again proven his lasting impact on the art world, with his masterpiece The Artist’s Brother selling for an astonishing £406,000 ($528,000) at Bonhams’ Modern & Contemporary African Art sale—more than four times its original estimate of £100,000-150,000 ($130,000-195,000).

Greek Modernist Tsarouchis’ Eros Masterpiece Sets New World Record at Paris Auction

Detail of Yannis Tsarouchis’s Eros painting, showing a dark-haired male figure with a bare torso and pale wings.

A stunning masterpiece by Greek modernist Yannis Tsarouchis has shattered records at a high-profile Paris auction, fetching an astonishing €571,900. This bold and evocative painting “Youth posing as Eros next to an English chair” exemplifies Tsarouchis’s signature exploration of cultural and sexual identity, drawing global attention to his lasting influence. With art collectors vying for works from Greece’s most celebrated eras, this sale marks a new chapter in the appreciation of Greek modernism. Discover how Tsarouchis’s legacy continues to captivate the world.

Renowned Vietnamese Artist Nguyen Gia Tri’s War Painting Fetches Over $500,000 at Bonhams

Armed figures beneath a striped banner in Battle of the River Bạch Đằng, attributed to Nguyễn Gia Trí.

A rare war painting by Vietnamese artist Nguyễn Gia Trí recently sold for over $500,000 at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr’s online auction in Paris, surpassing expectations by a remarkable margin. Titled Battle of the River Bạch Đằng, this large-scale lacquer work portrays the historic 1288 naval victory led by General Trần Hưng Đạo against the Mongol fleet. With its masterful execution and rich historical narrative, the painting not only highlights Nguyễn Gia Trí’s skill in blending traditional and Western artistic influences, but also underscores the growing international demand for Vietnamese art. Read the full article to see this masterpiece and learn more about its remarkable sale.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.