Month 07
Artist rating and auction houses: how it works in 2026
In 30 seconds
A rating is built over 15-30 years via the secondary market (public resales). In Canada: Heffel and Iegor. International: Christie's, Sotheby's. For an established rating: 5-10 documented public sales over 10 years, rising prices, public collections. The rating is a consequence of a path, not a choice.
The myth of the chosen rating
A rating is a consequence of a 15-30 year journey built in the primary market, then activated in the secondary market. An established rating implies an accumulation of symbolic capital that is difficult to anticipate.
The 4 steps of the journey
- Step 1 (years 0-7): Stabilized primary market. Direct/gallery sales, rising prices (10-25%/year), 50+ works.
- Step 2 (years 7-15): Institutional presence. Public collections, museums, grants, peer recognition.
- Step 3 (years 15-25): First resales. Works resold at Heffel or Iegor via successions. Artprice.
- Step 4 (years 25+): Internationally established rating. Artnet/Artprice indices, Christie's/Sotheby's access.
Auction houses
- Canada: Heffel (largest), Iegor (Quebec), Cowley Abbott, Hodgins.
- International: Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips (more contemporary).
Artprice and Artnet indices
Compile global public sales. From 3-5 documented public sales, an artist appears in these databases.
3 realities to accept
1. It takes 20-30 years. 2. It depends on your collectors (resales), not you. 3. The secondary market doesn't pay directly (no resale right in Canada).
Common mistakes
- Targeting the secondary market too early.
FAQ
Target secondary market from the start?
No. Focus on primary market the first 10-15 years. Secondary comes naturally.
Does a single public resale create a rating?
No. It takes 5-10 documented resales over several years.
Can you influence your own resales?
Indirectly, by cultivating serious collectors. Not directly.