Across cultures and centuries, the human figure has served as an inexhaustible source of artistic inspiration. In the hands of artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, however, it became far more than a subject of representation: the figure emerged as a vehicle for avant-garde experimentation and conceptual exploration—a legible anchor from which both observed reality and the psychological imagination could unfold.

The enduring power of the human form

The Living Line

Explore sale highlights selected by Sotheby’s specialists

Specialist Picks

From early Impressionism to radical abstraction, the Modern Day Auction features several exceptional American collections this season.

Important Collections

The Collection of Cindy and Jay Pritzker reveals an instinctive eye for works of both art-historical significance and aesthetic power. At its center is Vincent van Gogh’s Romans parisiens (Les Livres jaunes) (1887)—a masterpiece of immense importance and among the artist’s finest still lifes. Surrounding it are outstanding examples by Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Georges Braque, Paul Klee, and others, each reflecting the Pritzkers’ deeply personal approach to collecting. Every work was chosen not only for its historical resonance but also for its ability to enrich their daily lives—mirroring their intellectual curiosity, aesthetic passions, and the spirit of inspiration they shared with all who encountered their collection. Through their dedication to the arts, architecture, and civic life, Cindy and Jay Pritzker built a legacy that exemplifies how philanthropy, vision, and cultural investment can shape a city’s identity and future. Guided by a belief in the unifying and transformative power of the arts, they became enduring champions of creativity and public engagement. Among their most notable contributions is the establishment of the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1979, now regarded as one of the highest honors in the field. In their hometown of Chicago, the Pritzkers’ commitment to civic philanthropy has left an indelible mark. Their name is woven into the fabric of the city’s cultural vitality—visible in landmarks such as the Harold Washington Library Center and the Jay A. Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, both symbols of civic pride and community engagement. Through these achievements, Cindy and Jay Pritzker created a lasting model of leadership and generosity—one that continues to inspire and elevate generations to come.

The Cindy and Jay Pritzker Collection 

From the quiet lyricism of pastoral vistas to the dynamic rhythm of the modern city, artists of the Impressionist and Modern eras transformed their landscape into a mirror of human experience. This November, a curated selection of works captures their diverse visions of the world around them—both timeless and ever-changing.

The Pulse and the Pastoral

Abstraction in modern art encompasses a spectrum from the subtle to the radical. From the Impressionists’ dissolution of form into light and color to the Bauhaus’ pioneering investigations of geometry, line, and technology, its evolution mirrors the seismic shifts of the twentieth century, marking a deliberate turn from the external world toward formal innovation and the conceptual possibilities of art.

Tracing Abstraction from Monet to Moholy-Nagy

The Edge of Perception

One of the most important collections of Illustration in the nation, the Kelly Collection of American Illustration focuses exclusively on “The Golden Age” of American Illustration from 1890-1935. Sotheby’s is pleased to present a selection of exceptional paintings from the collection led by Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth and J.C. Leyendecker. Together, these works encapsulate nearly fifty years of the nation’s most cheerful, dynamic narratives of American artistry. The Kelly Collection consists of countless paintings and drawings by the nation’s leading illustrators, including cover paintings for The Saturday Evening Post, illustrations for prominent novels such as Les Misérables, and imagery from recognizable advertisements of the early twentieth century.&nbsp;

The Golden Age of Illustration: The Kelly Collection

New York

AVP, Head of Modern Day Auction & Specialist, American Art

Caroline Seabolt

AVP, Specialist, Impressionist & Modern Art, Deputy Head of Modern Day Auctions

Zoë Zaneteas

Vice Chairman, Head of Middle Market for Modern &amp; Contemporary Art

Scott Niichel

SVP, Senior Specialist, Impressionist & Modern Art

Frances Asquith

Cataloguer, Impressionist & Modern Art

Rachel Hansen

Ellis Anderson

Head of American Art

Stefany Morris

Associate Specialist

Katie Maher

Head of Latin American Art

Anna Di Stasi

Assistant Vice President | Specialist, Latin American Art

Emily Nice

Associate Specialist, Latin American and Contemporary Art

Carola Reyes Benítez

Pre-Sale Coordinator, Modern & Impressionist Art

Anjli Patel

Client Accounts Receivable Manager, Post Sale Services

Samit Sinha

Meet our Specialists

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Session I

Session 2

Sotheby's Modern Day Auction draws together over a century of paintings, drawings and sculpture from across Europe and the Americas to showcase the best of Impressionism and the revolutionary avant-garde movements of the 20th century. Interweaving these movements, counter-movements and transnational cross-currents, the Modern Day Auction encapsulates innovation. Often defying categorization by continent or medium, these artists have dared to challenge tradition to shape the history of modern art. This November marks a historic moment, as Sotheby’s will host the auction and pre-sale exhibition for the first time at the Breuer on Madison Avenue, an iconic Brutalist landmark enmeshed in the cultural fabric of New York City.