Under the shimmering lights of Diriyah’s open-air amphitheater, a historical moment unfolded as every seat filled, with many attendees opting to stand, all buzzing with anticipation. The night began with a stirring performance by Saudi opera singer Reemaz Oqbi, setting a tone of grandeur for what would become a landmark event. On Feb. 8, Sotheby’s marked its entry into Saudi Arabia with “Origins,” the Kingdom’s first-ever international auction that blended fine art, luxury, and legacy in an electrifying display.
Sotheby’s inaugural Saudi auction featured an impressive lineup of international and regional masterpieces, with iconic works by René Magritte, Fernando Botero, and Banksy each surpassing the million-dollar mark. Yet, it was the Arab and Saudi artists who truly captivated the crowd. Mohammed Al Saleem’s abstract calligraphic painting, from the artist’s daughter’s collection, surprised everyone by tripling its estimate to fetch $660,000. Meanwhile, Abdulhalim Radwi’s vibrant depiction of a 1984 market scene shattered records by drawing $264,000, well beyond its pre-auction estimate.
Ahmed Mater’s “Illumination Diptych (Makkiah Tale)” also exceeded expectations, selling for $102,000, while Maha Malluh’s thought-provoking “Magadeer” from her “Food for Thought” series fetched $84,000. The global interest in art from the region is growing, and these sales highlighted this as well as the abundance of talent within Saudi Arabia.
The auction was not limited to traditional art forms. Louay Kayyali’s “Then What??” a seminal piece of modern Arab art, sparked a fierce bidding war that culminated in a record-breaking $900,000 sale. Samia Halaby’s evocative “Blue Trap (in a Railroad Station)” from the 1970s ignited a three-way bidding battle, eventually reaching $384,000. Saloua Raouda Choucair’s rare early wood sculpture brought $144,000, with proceeds supporting her foundation’s educational and research endeavors, while Aref El Rayess’ painting from his Desert series, previously showcased at the Venice Biennale, captured $108,000.
Beyond the canvas, the auction, deemed to be Sotheby’s inaugural Saudi auction, also offered an array of luxury items that attracted significant attention. Fine watches from Cartier, a diamond-studded Hermès Birkin, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s game-worn jerseys were among the fiercely contested items. Notably, a Michael Jordan NBA Playoffs jersey neared the million-dollar threshold, selling for $960,000, which highlighted the escalating value of sports memorabilia in the art auction world.
The “Origins” auction drew participants from 45 countries, with almost a third from Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global art market. More than just an auction, “Origins” showcased Saudi Arabia’s cultural pride and burgeoning art scene, signaling its potential to reshape the global art and luxury auction landscape. This groundbreaking event celebrated the region’s rich artistic heritage and marked a new era for international art commerce in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
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