On 8 February, Sotheby’s will bring down the hammer on some 100 lots in an unprecedented event that will mark the first ever international auction in Saudi Arabia’s history. Titled Origins, the auction will offer an array of Sotheby’s global offerings for both new and seasoned collectors. The two-part evening auction will comprise a sale of fine art by both home-grown Saudi artists alongside the leading names in international art history, digital art, and a showcase of all that luxury encompasses, including jewellery, watches, sports memorabilia and handbags.
Prior to the sale, the contents of Origins will be showcased in a free exhibition in Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace from 1 – 8 February, in a week-long celebration of art, luxury and culture for the public. This coincides with Diriyah Season, the annual themed festival that brings the cultural heritage of Diriyah to life through a captivating array of events and experiences, and is complemented by the world-class retail and dining experiences in Bujairi Terrace.
Fittingly, the auction itself will also take place in Diriyah, the ancestral heart of the nation that today stands as a world-class cultural hub and international centre for arts. With its 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif nearby, the historic setting perfectly reflects and enhances the offering of this inaugural auction.
Press release from Sotheby’s
Image: Fernando Botero. Society Woman. 2003. oil on canvas. 155 x 122 cm. Property from the Collection of Fernando Botero Jr. Fernando Botero, 1932 – 2023
