Month 11
Selling at online auctions: complete 2026 guide
8 min readBy Dorian Verdier
In 30 seconds
Online auctions = secondary market (resales), not primary market. You don't organize an auction of YOUR works as emerging — collectors resell. 3 categories: traditional houses (Heffel, Iegor, Christie's), art platforms (Artsy Auctions), mainstream (eBay — discouraged). Relevant in established phase (15-25+ years).
Auction market logic
- Primary market: gallery → collector, you receive the sale income
- Secondary market: 5 to 20 years later, collector resells via auction
- In Canada: no droit de suite — you receive nothing on resales
- As emerging: no established rating, disappointing price risk, 15-25% commission costs
Category 1: traditional auction houses
- Heffel, Iegor, Christie's, Sotheby's — rigorous selection
- Serious audience, prices documented in Artnet/Artprice
- Relevant in established phase with sales history
Category 2: online art platforms
- Artsy Auctions: via partner gallery only
- Saatchi Art Auctions: intermediate market, variable results
Category 3: mainstream platforms
- eBay and similar: strongly discouraged for contemporary art
- Lastingly devalues the artist's market rating
When auctions are relevant
- Years 0-15: no auctions — build primary market
- Years 15-25: first involuntary resales of your works
- Years 25+: established Artnet/Artprice rating, regular auctions
- If you receive a request: let it happen, buy back, mobilize your network or communicate
The 3 auction mistakes
- Mistake 1: believing auctions = success — as emerging, it's a difficulty signal
- Mistake 2: putting your works on eBay — guaranteed lasting devaluation
- Mistake 3: ignoring imminent auction of your works — mobilization can save the price
FAQ
Can you organize your own auction?
Technically yes via eBay, strongly discouraged. Lastingly devalues.
What do auctions generate for emerging artists?
Nothing directly. Income = galleries and primary market.
Charity auction?
Special case. Work donation may be justified, with caution.