Sotheby’s Milano brings post-war Italian art to auction with a wide and rigorous selection. Many works had never been on the market before, including Fontana, Morandi, Carla Accardi, and other key figures.
Why does this sale focus on 20th-century Italian art?
The Modern and Contemporary sale will be held in person at Palazzo Serbelloni, in Milan, on May 27, 2026. The catalog brings together high-quality works and reflects the variety of 20th-century Italian art.
However, the approach is not only historical. Sotheby’s also offers a critical path, capable of showcasing different languages and generations within an international framework.
Moreover, Milan is indicated as a natural reference point for a project of this scale. The city thus confirms its role in the Italian art market and in dialogue with foreign collectors.
Which works lead the catalog?
Among the most anticipated lots is Concetto spaziale, Attese (1965-66) by Lucio Fontana, presented for the first time on the market. The three vertical cuts on a yellow background are estimated between 700,000 and 1,000,000 euros.
Fontana also appears with another crucial work: Concetto spaziale, Attesa from 1960, in blue, from the Galleria Blu in Milan. Alongside him is Yves Klein with Monochrome bleu sans titre (IKB 323) from 1959, which remained in the same collection for years.
That said, the section dedicated to Giorgio Morandi allows us to follow three seasons of the artist: Natura morta from 1924, Paesaggio from 1940, and another Natura morta from 1959, also estimated between 700,000 and 1,000,000 euros.
How does Carla Accardi present at auction?
Two works by Carla Accardi debut at auction in Milan. Grande dittico from 1986, with a solid exhibition history, measures 220 × 320 cm and is estimated between 250,000 and 350,000 euros.
The second is Arancio from 1979, which explores color, light, and fluorescent materials. The work is linked to the artist’s research towards a “progressively greater” light, with an estimate between 70,000 and 90,000 euros.
Overall, these presences confirm the market’s interest in historical and well-documented works. The quality of provenance remains a decisive element, especially for works that have long been out of the public circuit.
Which other artists complete the selection?
The sale also includes two works by Salvo: 28 siciliani più un mistero from 2014, estimated between 100,000 and 150,000 euros, and Una sera from 1988, among the most evocative examples of his landscapes, with an estimate between 60,000 and 80,000 euros.
Additionally, there are Mario Schifano with Botticelli 2 from 1962, Emilio Vedova with Per la Spagna N. 2 from 1962, and Tancredi with Senza titolo from 1956. The list confirms a careful focus on post-war research.
The works will be visible to the public at Palazzo Serbelloni from May 22 to 26, 2026, before the live sale on May 27. To delve deeper into the auction house’s context, you can consult Sotheby’s and Artprice, as well as the Tate for historical references.
In summary, Sotheby’s Milano offers a selection that combines works never before seen on the market, central names, and significant estimates. The result is an updated reading of post-war Italy, with Milan at the center of the scene.
Image: Salvo, 28 siciliani più un mistero (2014). Courtesy Sotheby’s
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.
