The global art market sales up to USD 59.6 billion in 2025

Nicole Kidman took on a more unusual role recently, the actress appeared against a $107-million Brancusi sculpture on-camera for Christie's ahead of the artwork's record-breaking sale.
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Still from Nicole Kidman in a Christie's video with a Brancusi sculpture. Christie’s sells $1.1 billion in art in one night — with a little help from Nicole Kidman. Nicole Kidman's 'strange' sculpture dance helps pull off record $1.1 billion night for auction house, the press concluded. Courtesy auction House.

Chanel dress worn by Nicole Kidman at the 2026 Met gala Courtesy Chanel.

By Nermin A., Editor

Paris, France -  The 2026 Met Gala's theme was well crated "Costume Art" and the dress code is "Fashion Is Art," Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams serve as co-chairs in an event that underlined how art again took center stage globally since at least past year. As insights from The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2026 show in the tenth edition of The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2026, by Arts Economics, art sales depicts a global art market returning to growth in 2025 as both dealer and auction markets strengthened. 

It is also worth noting Christie’s recruited Nicole Kidman to sell S.I. Newhouse’s $100 Million Brancusi, as  Kidman stars in a Christie’s campaign promoting "Danaïde" by Constantin Brancusi from the collection of S.I. Newhouse. So how Nicole Kidman helped Christie's sell $1.1 billion in art in one night and what were the key drivers behind this growth? Which markets performed better than others? And is gender representation approaching parity?

Authored by Dr. Clare McAndrew, Founder of Arts Economics, this comprehensive report analyzes the performance of key market segments, including galleries and dealers, auction houses, and art fairs, against the backdrop of evolving buyer behavior and shifting geopolitical and economic conditions. These are five key findings from the report.

The global art market returned to growth

Global sales increased by 4% year-on year to an estimated USD 59.6 billion in 2025, after two years of declining values. Aggregate sales in the dealer sector rose 2% to USD 34.8 billion and public auction sales increased by 9% to USD 20.7 billion while reported private auction sales declined by 4% to just under USD 4.2 billion. The volume of transactions reached an estimated 41.5 million in 2025.
Momentum in leading art markets
The United States, the United Kingdom, and China accounted for 76% of global art sales by value, with each market reporting growth. Driven by auctions, sales in the United States reached USD 26 billion despite trade unpredictability and UK sales increased to USD 10.5 billion. In China, sales increased to USD 8.5 billion stabilizing the market despite the real estate downturn and other economic concerns that weighed on consumer confidence. Across Europe and Asia, performance was mixed, with year-on-year growth in markets such as Switzerland, Austria, France, Spain, and South Korea, and slower conditions in Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Meaningful progress in the representation of female artists

Female artist representation strengthened further in 2025, reaching 50% among primary market galleries and 45% across all dealers. Works by female artists accounted for 37% of sales by value (up from 28% in 2018), although disparities persist at the highest revenue levels.
Increasing importance of art fairs
While online sales declined, art fair sales increased by 4% year-on-year to 35% of dealer turnover, reaching their highest level since 2022. Overseas fairs accounted for the majority of sales, though growth was recorded at both international and local events, particularly among mid‑sized dealers.
Improving outlook
Confidence strengthened heading into 2026, with 43% of dealers expecting sales to improve and 38% anticipating stable performance. Sentiment also improved among auction houses, reflecting greater optimism despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.