Art Basel Qatar’s debut edition concluded on Saturday, February 7th, at the M7 and Doha Design District.
Sales reported by galleries were led by eight €800,000 ($951,576) Georg Baselitz bronze hand sculptures at White Cube’s booth.
Some 87 galleries participated in the fair, which drew 17,000 visitors over its run. The fair was composed entirely of solo artist presentations under the theme “Becoming.”
“Art Basel Qatar has presented a new way forward for the art market,” said Shawky in a statement. “By building on and complementing the strong cultural and artistic infrastructure already in place here, the fair enhances the ecosystem and offers artists real opportunities to grow their practices.”
Several dealers noted a more considered pace to transactions than at other Art Basel fairs. “There was a measured refinement to the fair, made possible by the curated solo artist presentations, which allowed for an altogether more engaged viewing experience,” said White Cube founder Jay Jopling. “The fair was a big success, and White Cube enjoyed many meaningful conversations as well as strong sales.”
Below is a summarized report of the leading sales disclosed by participating galleries, highlighting a robust appetite for both blue-chip masters and emerging regional talent.
Reported sales at Art Basel Qatar 2026
- David Kordansky Gallery placed “several” Lucy Bull paintings priced between $375,000 and $450,000 apiece.
- Perrotin sold “numerous” works by Ali Banisadr. Paintings were priced at “over” $600,000, and sculptures ranged in price from $45,000 to $120,000 apiece.
- Thaddaeus Ropac confirmed the sale of two Raqib Shaw paintings for £225,000 ($307,577) and £375,000 ($512,628) apiece.
- Paula Cooper Gallery placed four installations by Terry Adkins. Works were sold for prices between $300,000 and $400,000 each.
- Sean Kelly Gallery sold “several” pieces from its presentation of works by Hugo McCloud, with prices ranging from $85,000 to $235,000 apiece.
- Saudi Arabian gallery ATHR—one of Artsy’s best booths from the fair—reported the sale of 11 works from its presentation of works by Ahmed Mater, with prices for works ranging from $45,000 to $220,000 each.
- VeneKlasen Gallery sold out its presentation of six paintings by Issy Wood, with prices for works ranging from $35,000 to $190,000 apiece.
- Almine Rech sold “the majority” of its watercolors and sculptures by Lebanese artist Ali Cherri. Prices for works ranged from $35,000 to $153,000 each.
- Lehmann Maupin reported the sales of Nari Ward’s PRAISEWORTHY (2025) and Livin’, Forever (2024), each priced between $80,000 and $100,000.
- Hauser & Wirth confirmed “at least one hold” from its booth of paintings by Philip Guston, according to Artnet. Prices for works ranged from $9.5 million to $14 million apiece.
- Lisson Gallery placed four works by Olga de Amaral for undisclosed prices.
