Frieze in London opens its pavilions with a rich schedule from October 15 to 19, 2025. The event attracts galleries, collectors, and international auction houses in a dense network of exchanges.
Why visit the fair in 2025: contemporary art auctions in London and trends
In this context Frieze offers an overview of market trends. Emerging galleries confront established names; the host city becomes a meeting place for collectors, curators, and artists. Conversations quickly shift from exhibition halls to auction negotiations, where estimates influence the perception of works.
How auction houses influence the fair
Auction houses cooperate with galleries and participate in the fair’s economy. They often present parallel catalogs and previews that help form the reference price. Moreover, the attention of foreign buyers can guide subsequent sales in different cities.
Lucian Freud portrait: what values to expect?
The portrait market maintains solid demand. For important works, precise estimates are noted: the Self-portrait (Lucian Freud) is valued between 8-12 million pounds. In some cases, studies or related works are quoted in a lower range: the Study for Self-Portrait is estimated around 5-7 million.
Francis Bacon and the reflections on 2025 valuations
Bacon’s work remains a reference point. The estimate for Portrait of a Dwarf is between 6-9 million. It is useful to compare these figures with the quotations of similar works to understand the trends of official sales and private negotiations.
Bacon’s name attracts great attention in auction sessions. The estimates, although indicative, reflect constant demand. Movements in the room and online often confirm or exceed forecasts, with fluctuations dictated by the state of conservation, provenance, and collection history.
Peter Doig country rock: market and quotations
Peter Doig remains one of the most followed contemporary artists. The work Country Rock is estimated between 7-10 million. This range indicates strong appeal among international collectors, especially in auctions dedicated to high-quality contemporary art.
Yoshitomo Nara: the value
Nara’s visual language continues to be popular among new and established collections. The canvas known as angry girl reports an estimate between 6.5-8.5 million, positioning itself as a reference point for those following the contemporary Asian art market.
Artemisia Gentileschi samaritan well: ancient market and estimates
Among historical references, Baroque painting interests both museums and private collectors. The work Samaritan at the Well attributed to Artemisia Gentileschi is estimated between 20-30 thousand euros, a figure that underscores the market differentiation for documented quality works compared to large first-order lots.
What other historical references emerge?
Alongside international names, national proposals emerge: a Mario Schifano estimated between 140-180 thousand euros and a photograph like Luigi Ghirri, Naples 1980 with an estimate of 4-6 thousand euros. These examples highlight the variety of offerings and the differentiation of price ranges.
Regent Park sculptures at Frieze: urban interventions and public collection
The sculptures placed in Regent’s Park during Frieze constitute an extension of the fair into urban space. They expand the visibility of works and increase the dialogue between the city, visitors, and permanent collections. Often site-specific projects act as catalysts for subsequent acquisitions.
Where to find practical information
For the complete program and exhibitions, you can consult the official fair website: Frieze. To compare recent auction results and understand the dynamics, it is useful to follow the platforms of major houses like Christie’s.
How to guide a collection during Frieze
That said, those curating a collection should consider multiple elements: authenticity, provenance, state of conservation, and, of course, market estimates. Discussions at the fair often become starting points for future contacts, exchanges, and acquisitions that enhance the collection in the long term.
- Self-portrait (Lucian Freud): 8-12 million pounds
- Study for Self-Portrait: 5-7 million
- Peter Doig, Country Rock: 7-10 million
- Yoshitomo Nara, angry girl: 6.5-8.5 million
- Francis Bacon, Portrait of a Dwarf: 6-9 million
- Artemisia Gentileschi, Samaritan at the Well: 20-30 thousand euros
- Mario Schifano: 140-180 thousand euros
- Luigi Ghirri, Naples 1980: 4-6 thousand euros
Resources and insights
To delve into the profiles of artists and the offerings on display, refer to the dossiers and online essays: Collections, Artists, and thematic sections like Auctions or Insights.
Yet, the visit remains essential: nothing replaces direct contact with the works, the perception of materials, and the conversation with market protagonists. Frieze from October 15 to 19, 2025, promises to be, once again, an effective thermometer of global trends.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
