Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Sotheby’s will host its inaugural auction in Saudi Arabia on February 8, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s cultural evolution.

Titled 'Origins,' the event will be the first international auction of its kind in Saudi Arabia’s history. The auction will take place in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a cultural hub that has become synonymous with Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and artistic aspirations.

The 'Origins' auction will feature approximately 100 lots, blending Saudi artistry with Sotheby’s global offerings. The two-part evening event will span fine art, luxury items, and digital creations, appealing to both seasoned collectors and newcomers.

Ahead of the sale, the 'Origins' collection will be displayed in a free public exhibition at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace from February 1 to 8. Visitors will have the opportunity to view an array of artworks, luxury items, and cultural treasures in a week-long celebration of art, culture, and luxury. The exhibition coincides with Diriyah Season, Saudi Arabia’s annual cultural festival, which features world-class dining, retail experiences, and heritage events.

The auction will showcase works by globally renowned artists such as René Magritte, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Wassily Kandinsky, and Damien Hirst. Additionally, it will feature prominent Middle Eastern artists, including Louay Kayyali, Samia Halaby, and Saudi pioneers Mohammad Al Saleem and Abdulhalim Radwi.

Key pieces include:

• René Magritte’s L’État de veille (estimate: $1,000,000–1,500,000), an emblematic Surrealist masterpiece.

• Wassily Kandinsky’s Pointillé (estimate: $250,000–350,000), a work once held by the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

• Mohammad Al Saleem’s O’ God, Honour Them and Do Not Honor an Enemy Over Them (estimate: $180,000–250,000), which reflects Saudi Arabia’s cultural and historical identity.

Digital art will also take center stage, including Refik Anadol’s Machine Hallucinations: Mars (estimate: $800,000–1,200,000), a generative AI artwork inspired by data from a space telescope.

Luxury items, including Hermès handbags, Cartier watches, and rare gemstones, will be featured. Highlights include:

• A Richard Mille prototype worn by sprinter Yohan Blake at the 2012 Olympics (estimate: $1,000,000–1,500,000).

• Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Playoffs “The Last Dance” game-worn jersey (estimate: $800,000–1,200,000).

• An exquisite Art Deco Cartier sapphire and diamond bracelet (estimate: $275,000–325,000).

Sotheby’s choice of Diriyah as the venue reflects its commitment to honoring Saudi Arabia’s heritage while introducing global collectors to the Kingdom’s artistic and cultural achievements. The historic site of Al-Turaif, a centerpiece of Diriyah, provides a fitting backdrop for this landmark event.

The auction will take place in Diriyah on February 8, while the public exhibition at Bujairi Terrace will run from February 1–8.

This event represents a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s cultural journey, showcasing the Kingdom as an emerging global hub for art, culture, and luxury.