The Most Valuable Works Offered for Sale at Art Basel Paris 2026
Works signed by legendary names – from Amedeo Modigliani to Pablo Picasso, Jean – Michel Basquiat and Jeff Koons—their works were the most valuable pieces on display at the fifth edition of Art Basel Paris, which ended two days early amid protests in France.
A Modigliani Worth Over $100 Million
Pace Di Donna Schrader Galleries (PDS) has put a 1917 nude by Amedeo Modigliani up for sale for over $100 million. It is being offered for sale by the family of the collector who acquired it in 1920.
Titled “Nu étendu (Lolotte),” the painting—an oil on canvas measuring 65×92 cm—depicts Lolotte in a raw style that is distinctive to the Italian artist.
Dealer Emmanuel Di Donna noted in the event preview that, although other pieces have enjoyed rapid success, a $100 million masterpiece like this “takes time to find the right buyer”, as it is not an impulsive purchase.
“Nu étendu (Lolotte),” by Amedeo Modigliani; “Tête de femme,” by Pablo Picasso; curated by
Mitchell and Basquiat, at Van de Weghe
Van de Weghe has several works in his collection estimated at over 10 million dollars.
A work by Joan Mitchell, “River III”, oil on canvas measuring 258x199cm, was valued at $14.5 million, a painting of impressive size from 1967 – 1968.
A painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat from 1982, titled “Busted Atlas”, acrylic on canvas measuring 165x165cm, was valued at $11 million.
“River III,” by Joan Mitchell; curatorial
“Busted Atlas”, by Jean-Michel Basquiat; curatorial
Picasso and Gauguin, at Acquavella
At the Acquavella gallery stand, the work “Femme au béret rouge à pompon”, oil on canvas by Pablo Picasso, dated December 5, 1937, and a still life by Paul Gauguin from 1889 stood out.
“Femme au béret rouge à pompon”, by Pablo Picasso; curatorial
Cy Twombly and Jeff Koons, at Gagosian
Cy Twombly and Jeff Koons were protagonists at Gagosian.
The first features a chalk drawing from 1970, and the second is a sculpture approximately 3 meters tall that appears to be made of giant wine corks, but is actually composed of polychrome bronze forms. It sold for $4.3 million.
Jeff Koons; curatorial
Cy Twombly; curatorial
Victor Man at Gladstone
According to figures compiled by the fair’s organizers, galleries reported sales of over 300 works worth approximately $147 million during the first two days of the preview. Among others, Gladstone Gallery also recorded significant sales during the first few days, including a painting by Victor Man valued at $1.3 million. The work is titled “Pink Chair” (2012).
Results for the four days of the fair are still pending.
Art Basel Paris 2026 ended on the evening of October 23, two days earlier than scheduled, amid protests scheduled to take place in the French capital on October 24, a day on which several museums and collections announced they would be closed.
