Photographs

The Photographs department at Christie’s sources and supports the sale of works from the entire history of the medium. We hold highly successful various-owner auctions in New York, as well as placing major photographic works within our 20th/21st Century Art Evening and Day sales.

The Photographs team has broken numerous world records, including the longstanding record for the most expensive photograph ever sold at auction, achieved with Man Ray’s Le Violon d'Ingres, 1924 which sold for $12,412,500 in 2022.

We’ve also broken artist records in recent years for works by Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, William Eggleston, El Lissitzky, Helmut Newton, Edward Steichen and Man Ray, achieving results over one million dollars for each.

Our track record with collection sales is unmatched, evidenced by our handling of several prestigious private and institutional collections in recent years. As the market leader, we are committed to sourcing and selling the finest works of art with exceptional provenance to both private collectors and institutions, whether at auction or as private sale transactions.