The Specialist

On today’s episode, an early self portrait by an artist whose place within the modern canon needs no qualification. Sam Valette explores the remarkable trajectory of Pablo Picasso’s Yo, Picasso. Sam is Sotheby's Vice Chairman, Head of Private Sales for Europe and the Middle East and is known for brokering the sale of some of the most sought after Masterpieces of modern art, both privately and at a...

On today’s episode, the monumental arachnid that marked a record-setting moment for a sculpture by a woman artist. Katia Mindlin Leite-Barbosa examines the Louise Bourgeois 21-ft Spider and the intrepid voyage to bring it to the sale room. Katia is President and Managing Director of Sotheby's Brazil. She is the author of titles on Istanbul and the Brazilian art market, and serves on several boards...

On today’s episode, the coveted Fabergé egg whose interior reveals an intricate surprise. Helen Culver Smith, Sotheby's Head of Decorative Arts Worldwide and Head, traces the remarkable journey of the Imperial Coronation Egg, originally presented to the Romanov family, and the dramatic struggle for its acquisition. The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-...

On today’s episode, the extraordinary saga of the 1933 Double Eagle, America’s last gold coin; stolen, smuggled, and seized. Selby Kiffer is Sotheby's Senior International Specialist of Books and Manuscripts. Over the last half century, he has overseen the sale of many of the most celebrated private libraries offered at auction. A lecturer and expert, with a unique knowledge of Americana, he has a...

On today’s episode, the female pioneer of abstract expressionism whose lyrical compositions came to reset market expectations. Courtney Kremers examines King of Spades, Joan Mitchell’s formative masterpiece, which signalled the convergence of her critical acclaim and market recognition. Courtney is Vice Chairman, Sotheby's New York, and oversees strategy for Private Sales across fine art categorie...

On today’s episode, the story of Frederic Edwin Church’s elusive magnum opus, The Icebergs (The North). This painting was hidden from view for nearly a century. Stefany Morris, Sotheby's Head of American Art, recounts its dramatic rediscovery and the record breaking sale that cemented its status as an icon. ⁠Further details about the episode subject⁠ The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's F...

On today’s episode, Emily Bierman, Sotheby's Global Head of Prints & Photographs, examines Edward Steichen’s The Pond - Moonlight, a seminal turn of the century photograph whose technical innovation transformed the status of the medium. Further details about the episode subject The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of you...

On today’s episode, Morgane Halimi takes us into the world of Jane Birkin and the birth of the iconic bag that bears her name. Morgane is Sotheby's Global Head of Handbags and Fashion and brings a decade of expertise, acquired in both auction houses and the second hand luxury e-commerce market. Further details about the episode subject The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Servic...

On today’s episode, Frank Everett, Sotheby's Vice Chairman, Jewelry Americas, discusses the string of faux pearls that belonged to the legendary Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Estimated at $500-$700, it was the power of provenance that drove them to sell for over $200,000. Frank is largely self-taught and moved through the major jewelry houses before joining Sotheby’s, where his knowledge of the desi...

On today’s episode, we explore the story of the Manet self-portrait at the heart of the Goldschmidt sale — a moment of innovation in the art market as the first-ever evening auction. The visionary Chairman Peter Wilson was the architect of this convergence of the worlds of art and society. The story is told by Harry Rosebery, Honorary Chairman of Sotheby’s UK, who embodies this tradition today. Of...

On today's episode: two Tiffany Studios windows, two recording-breaking sales, and the story of the creators behind them both - Louis Comfort Tiffany, pioneer of American stained glass, and Agnes Northrup, one of his most gifted collaborators - whose achievements have been brought into the light by Jodi Pollack, Chairman, Co-Worldwide Head of 20th Century Design New York and Chairman of Sotheby's...

On today’s episode, the Codex Sassoon, which set a historic record in 2023 as the most valuable manuscript ever sold at auction. Once part of collector David Solomon Sassoon’s legendary Judaica library, it is the earliest most complete Hebrew Bible known to exist. Sharon Liberman Mintz is the Senior International Specialist for Judaica at Sotheby’s, where she has guided the sales of rare Hebrew ma...

Introducing The Specialist: Icons. This season, inspired by Sotheby’s new book Icons published by Phaidon, we explore treasures whose journeys define not only their own histories, but the shifting story of taste, value, and culture. Quality, rarity, and provenance play their part - yet some objects captivate the imagination for reasons beyond the ordinary. In each episode, we explore their signifi...

On today’s episode, we acknowledge with great respect the recent passing of the visionary philanthropist, Agnes Gund. Her extraordinary patronage – from her leadership at MoMA to her unwavering support of contemporary artists – forms one of the defining legacies in the art world today. Charlotte Van Dercook, Sotheby’s Head of Marquee Private Sales, explores By Women, For Tomorrow’s Women — the fir...

On today’s episode, Selby Kiffer, Sotheby's Senior International Specialist of Books and Manuscripts, tells the story of an original copy of the Declaration of Independence found in a flea market and the meticulous process of authentication that brought it to auction. Over the last half century, he has overseen the sale of many of the most celebrated private libraries offered at auction. A lecture...

On today’s episode, Florent Jeanniard, Sotheby's Chairman, Co-Worldwide Head of Design, Paris, dives into the surreal world of François-Xavier Lalanne. Le Bar aux Autruches, a whimsical fusion of sculpture and furniture, proved so intriguing for visitors to his home studio that Lalanne decided to hide it away in his bedroom. Further details about the episode subject. The Specialist is brought to y...

On today’s episode, the pivotal collector relationships that keep the market for rare watches ticking. Sam Hines, Sotheby's Global Chairman, Watches, explores the landmark sale of the only first-series Patek Philippe ref. 2499 to be signed by British-heritage luxury brand Asprey. Further details about the episode subject. The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers...

On today’s episode, what happens when a work of art is so enigmatic that you think about it for 60 years? Alex Bell, Chairman Emeritus of Sotheby's UK and Old Masters Worldwide, tells the story of how a mysterious Renaissance altarpiece entered the collection of the National Gallery in London as the museum celebrated its bi-centenary. Further details about the episode subject. The Specialist is br...

On today’s episode, Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman & Worldwide Head of Science and Natural History, examines the turbulent journey of the bag that brought back the first sample of the Moon — collected by Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11. She specialises in creating new markets, selling unique artefacts, and exploring what it means to put a price on history. Further details about the episode...

On today’s episode, Julia Fischel, Sotheby's Head of the Modern Art Day Sale in London, examines the trailblazing impact of Dame Magdalene Odundo, a Kenyan-born British potter, who redefined the field of contemporary ceramics. Her sculptural vessels set new records for the medium at the auction of visionary collector Sydney Denton, one of her greatest champions. Further details about the episode s...

On today’s episode, an auction built overnight - Virgil Abloh’s reimagining of the iconic Nike Air Force 1 for Louis Vuitton. The auction became a global phenomenon, with two hundred pairs sold exclusively through Sotheby’s, attracting bidders from more than 50 countries. Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's Head of Modern Collectibles based in Los Angeles, orchestrated the sale. Further details about the epi...

On today’s episode, the spark that led Nicolas Chow, Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, and Head of Asian Art Worldwide, to rediscover of the Qianlong Yulan Zhi Bao Seal. The carved soapstone seal has left its imprint upon some of the greatest works of Imperial China. Further details about the episode subject. The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans...

On today’s episode, the story of Marie Antoinette’s pearl and diamond pendant, told by Andres White Correal, Chairman, Jewellery, Sotheby's EMEA. The pendant was hidden, smuggled, and reclaimed before becoming the star lot in one of the most important royal jewelry ensembles ever to appear on the open market. Further details about the episode subject. The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's...

On today's episode, Lulu de Creel, Chairman, Sotheby's Latin America, tells the extraordinary journey of an anonymous 17th-century portrait believed to be the only surviving likeness of Moctezuma II, the last Aztec emperor. Lulu reveals how the painting was passed down through noble families, vanished into obscurity, and then resurfaced centuries later in a Paris apartment before being repatriated...

On today’s episode, Global Head of Watches Geoff Hess gives us a behind the scenes look at the rare Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, one of the most complicated wristwatches in the world and once owned by Sylvester Stallone. Further details about the episode subject. The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art...