American Art

Year after year, Sotheby’s carefully curated American Art auctions draw an avid audience and produce exceptional results for consignors. With eight of the ten highest sale totals in the field, eight of the ten highest auction prices of all time, and eight of the ten most valuable single-owner collections, Sotheby’s is the leading seller of American Art.

We offer fine American works dating from the Colonial portraits of Gilbert Stuart through the romantic landscapes and Western scenes of the 19th century to the American Impressionists, the Ashcan School and the Modernists. Important and renowned artists such as George Bellows, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Norman Rockwell and John Singer Sargent, amongst many others are typically represented in our sales.

Our team comprises seven experts, whose passion for their specialty and the trust they inspire in buyers and sellers alike has generated many record results, including the highest price achieved at auction in this market—$46 million for Norman Rockwell’s Saying Grace.

Sotheby's major American Art auctions are held in May and November in New York. Mid-season sales comprising more moderately valued works take place in April and October. The department also hosts a variety of online only auctions and consignments are welcome for all sales on a rolling basis.