Sotheby's Talks

Lucio Fontana and the Art of Space

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Curatorial and Collections Director at the National Portrait Gallery Flavia Frigeri is joined by Sotheby’s Chairman of Contemporary Art, Europe, Claudia Dwek, and International Specialist of Contemporary Art, Lisa Stevenson. Their discussion traces Fontana’s radical interrogation of space and his influence in the 1960s across Europe through German gallerists, museums and beyond.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in March 2026.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit Sothebys.com.

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Bacon, Freud, Kossoff: The Human Figure in Post-War London, with Sophie de Stempel

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, arts broadcaster Kate Bryan is joined by Sophie de Stempel – artist and sitter for Lucian Freud – and Tom Eddison, Sotheby’s Head of Contemporary Art in London, for a conversation on four exceptional paintings that bring together Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and Leon Kossoff at pivotal moments in their careers. Spanning four decades, these works capture the School of London at its height. From Bacon’s self-portrait and Freud’s studies of the human figure, to Kossoff’s depiction of everyday life, the conversation explores how these artists engaged with vulnerability and human presence.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in March 2026.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit Sothebys.com.

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How Do Objects Achieve Iconic Status, with Grayson Perry and Xa Sturgis

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we ask the question: How do objects achieve iconic status? Taking inspiration from the book Icons: 100 Extraordinary Objects from Sotheby’s History, published by Phaidon, the discussion explores how a work of art can transform beyond its material form to become a universal cultural image – instantly recognisable, endlessly reproduced, and symbolically charged.

Joining the discussion are artist Sir Grayson Perry; Xa Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean Museum; and Helena Newman, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe and Chairman of Impressionist & Modern Art Worldwide.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in February 2026.

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit Sothebys.com.

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British Studio Ceramics: Legacy and Present

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, which was originally recorded as a live event to celebrate the sale of the Sydney Denton: A Life Through Ceramics collection, Sotheby’s specialist Tamsin Golding Yee was joined by actor, art historian and collector Russell Tovey; Hepworth Wakefield curator Abi Shapiro and potter Florian Gadsby to discuss the recent rise in ceramics sales, publications and exhibitions, the challenges and future of ceramics, as well as own their personal journeys with making and collecting. The Sydney Denton collection comprised of over 200 ceramics created by both modern and contemporary makers. The sale broke existing auction records and involved many artists’ auction debuts.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in June 2025.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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The Legacy of Picasso: Relevance Across Generations, with Diana Widmaier Picasso

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000

This episode brings together Sotheby's Vice Chairman of Private Sales, Samuel Valette and Diana Widmaier Picasso, art historian, curator, author and granddaughter of the great Pablo Picasso. Exploring the global legacy of the artist, this discussion moves beyond the mythology, delving into why Picasso remains relevant across generations and his lasting influence on contemporary artists.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi in December 2025.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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The Art of Collectible Bicycles: Colnago’s Masterpieces in Motion

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000

Join Sotheby's Paul Redmayne, SVP of Luxury Sales, and Melissa Moncanda, President of Colnago and CEO & Founder of Aurora Vision Group, to explore the rise of the bicycle as a serious collectible. The pair discuss Colnago’s unique position at the intersection of heritage, craftsmanship, performance, and design, and what makes a bicycle truly collectible – from rarity and provenance to cultural impact and emotional value. The conversation also explores cycling’s growing status as a global luxury and wellbeing pursuit, and Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a key centre for the sport.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi in December 2025.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Art and Philanthropy: Purposeful Collecting, with Batia Ofer

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000

Join Oliver Barker for a conversation with Batia Ofer, renowned art collector, philanthropist, Chair of the Royal Academy Trust and founder of Art of Wishes, an initiative that raises funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through contemporary art. The episode explores Batia’s personal journey from collecting art to championing philanthropy, the impact of her work on supporting emerging artists and institutions, and the vital role art plays in society, community engagement and education.

Cover image credit: Jonathan Glynn Smith

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi in December 2025.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Pirelli: From Race to Road and Beyond

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000

Join us for a wide-ranging conversation with senior leaders from Pirelli as they explore the intersection of motorsport, innovation and design. Featuring Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director, Anthony Johansen, Global Product Training Manager, and Marco Maria Tronchetti Provera, SVP Pirelli Design & Assets Conversion, this episode delves into how performance at the highest level of racing informs road-going products, the role of technology and data in tyre development, and how design, heritage and sustainability shape Pirelli’s future. Together, they offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on what it takes to balance cutting-edge engineering with brand, culture and long-term vision.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi in December 2025.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit ⁠sothebys.com⁠.

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What It’s Worth: How Art is Conserved and Valued with Suzanna Siano

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0000

On this episode, we are joined by Suzanna Siano, founder and owner of Modern Art Conservation, to discuss how conservation shapes our understanding of a work, and the key factors that determine its price – from provenance and condition to broader market trends. Joining her are Zoë Zaneteas, Sotheby’s Specialist in Impressionist & Modern Art, and Nicole Schloss, Sotheby’s Specialist in Contemporary Art.

Cover Image:

Wassily Kandinsky

Ohne Titel (Untitled), executed in 1925

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s New York as part of Open House, a weekend-long introduction to the world of art and luxury for the culturally inquisitive.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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The Leonard A. Lauder Collection: Klimt and the Art of Connoisseurship

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Join us at Sotheby's for an insider look at The Leonard A. Lauder Collection, an exceptional body of museum-quality masterpieces. At its centre is Gustav Klimt's celebrated Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, alongside works by Henri Matisse, Edvard Munch, Vincent Van Gogh and other luminaries of modern art. Ahead of Sotheby’s landmark sale of this extraordinary collection this October, Curatorial and Collections Director at the National Portrait Gallery Flavia Frigeri, Sotheby's Chairman Impressionist and Modern Art Worldwide Helena Newman, and award-winning author James Stourton will join Director of Sir John Soane’s Museum Will Gompertz for a special discussion.

Together they will explore Klimt's enduring allure – from his luminous portrait of Elisabeth Lederer to the lyricism of the Attersee landscapes – as well as Leonard Lauder's vision and insights into his once-in-a-generation collection.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in October 2025.

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit Sothebys.com.

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Insight Report: A Century of Surrealism

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:30:00 -0000

On this episode, we examine the findings of Sotheby’s most recent Insight Report on Surrealism, which puts into sharp focus the buoyant market trends around the movement, currently celebrating its centenary.

Drawing on seven years of publicly available and proprietary data, the report reveals how Surrealism has outpaced the broader global art market and examines the enduring appeal of works from the 1920s to the 2020s across both the art world and wider culture.

Joining the discussion are Dawn Ades, legendary art historian and academic; Anders Petterson, founder and managing director of ArtTactic, and co author of the report; and Thomas Boyd-Bowman, Head of Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sales at Sotheby’s London. The talk is moderated by Tim Marlow, Director and Chief Executive of the Design Museum in London.

The report was produced in collaboration with ArtTactic and made possible by Sotheby’s Financial Services, whose mission is to empower collectors through asset-backed lending solutions.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in September 2025.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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The Gorgeous Nothings: Flowers at Chatsworth, with Lady Burlington

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:21:00 -0000

On today’s episode, we celebrate ‘The Gorgeous Nothings’, a new exhibition at Chatsworth sponsored by Sotheby’s. Renowned for its art and landscape, Chatsworth House has evolved through the centuries to reflect the tastes, passions, and interests of successive generations of the Devonshire family.

Lady Burlington – who conceived and shaped the project – is joined in conversation by curator Allegra Pesenti and Christopher Woodward, Director of the Garden Museum, to reflect on ephemerality, the poetry of objects, and the art of exhibition-making.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in June 2025.

Chatsworth House Trust, sponsored by Sotheby’s, is a registered charity established in 1981 to look after the house, collections, garden and parkland for everyone. Find out more about The Gorgeous Nothings at chatsworth.org/thegorgeousnothings

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Custodians of Taste: Pauline Karpidas and the Women who Shape the Art World

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:14:00 -0000

Join us at Sotheby’s for a special talk which will explore the remarkable collecting journey of Pauline Karpidas, one of the most influential art patrons of the past fifty years. Ahead of Sotheby’s landmark sale of her extraordinary Surrealist collection this September, collector Tiquio Acentio, curator Jasper Sharp, and Sotheby’s Worldwide Chairman of Impressionist and Modern Art Helena Newman will join broadcaster and art historian Kate Bryan to reflect on Karpidas’ unique eye, her friendships with artists, and the broader role of women as cultural custodians. From Peggy Guggenheim to Dominique de Menil and beyond, women collectors have long shaped the direction of modern and contemporary art. What drives them? How do personal connections influence collecting? And how does a home become a curated world? With insights into the upcoming auction and the stories behind the works, this talk will offer a portrait of a life in art – and celebrate those who collect with connoisseurship, curiosity and conviction.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in September 2025.

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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How to Appreciate Art, with Danny Katz

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:07:00 -0000

On today’s episode, we explore the power of connoisseurship with renowned London-based dealer and collector Daniel Katz – one of the art world’s most respected and original figures, known for his deep scholarship and discerning eye. From the thrill of discovery, to what it means to truly see a work of art, Katz reflects on standout pieces in his collection and the instinct behind great acquisitions, offering a rare glimpse into the making of an extraordinary connoisseur.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in June 2025.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

Cover Image:

Nicholson Ben

1942 (H.S), 1942

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Insight Report: Women Artists in the Market

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:27:00 -0000

On today’s episode, we turn our attention to women artists — and the shifting dynamics of their place in the art market. This conversation unpacks the key findings of our latest Insight Report, which explores the growing presence and influence of women artists in Modern and Contemporary art.

Joining the discussion are Anders Petterson, founder and managing director of ArtTactic and co-author of the report; Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund; Christian Levett, collector and founder of the Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins; and Ottilie Windsor, Head of Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s London. Together, they explore how the presence and influence of women artists in Modern and Contemporary art is evolving, and what this means for collectors, institutions and the market at large.

The report was produced in collaboration with ArtTactic and made possible by Sotheby’s Financial Services, whose mission is to empower collectors through asset-backed lending solutions.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in June 2025.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Shakespeare: A Man For All Time, with Tracy-Ann Oberman

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:15:00 -0000

On today’s episode, we’re exploring the world of Shakespeare. Sam Leith, author, journalist and literary editor of The Spectator, will be joined by Emma Smith, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Oxford, Tracy-Ann Oberman, who most recently starred as Shylock in her adaptation of The Merchant of Venice, and acclaimed actor Joseph Kloska. They will be revealing how different editions shaped our understanding of Shakespeare’s plays. Why do some of his most famous lines vary from version to version? What do these texts reveal about the many ways Shakespeare’s plays can be interpreted - on the page, on the stage and in the minds of each new generation?

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in May 2025.

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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African Creativity Today with Idris Elba

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:14:00 -0000

In this episode, actor, filmmaker, musician and activist, Idris Elba discusses the influence and growth of African art and the creative industries on the global stage with host Alexis Akwagyiram, Managing Editor of Semafor Africa, Dana Enduno Ferriera, CEO and Founder of Pavillon54, a digital platform for sharing and promoting art from the African diaspora, and artist and art historian, Smooth Nwezi, a curator in the Department of Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Co-hosted by Africell, and the Africell Impact Foundation.

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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London: The Golden Age, with James Stourton

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:13:00 -0000

London has long been a cultural melting pot for artists from around the world who, in their own unique ways, have revealed with each touch of a brush, the impact of the dynamic environment in which they found themselves. So in celebration of its role in the artistic journeys of so many, Sotheby’s has partnered with Art UK to showcase 12 extraordinary masterpieces by international artists on loan from regional museums across the UK. London: An Artistic Crossroads will bring together works by artists who have passed through or settled in the UK during their lifetime, including Zoffany, Derain, Mondrian, Odundo and Freud

To mark this exhibition, we invited art historian and former chair of Sotheby’s UK James Stourton to the stage for a talk tracing the history of London’s art scene through its golden age, celebrating the city as a multicultural melting pot of creativity. You can visit the exhibition London: An Artistic Crossroads, at Sotheby’s London until 5th July 2024.

This podcast was originally recorded at Sotheby’s in London in June 2024 as part of the exhibition London: An Artistic Crossroads. Art UK is an art education charity and artuk.org is the online home for every public collection of art in the UK. And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Creative London: An Artistic Crossroads, with Grayson Perry

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:13:00 -0000

Has London's cultural power essentially radiated outwards, influencing artists and creatives across the world? Or is London's creative preeminence dependent on the influx of global talent that has galvanised its artistic scene? In this panel discussion, curator and cultural historian Gus Casely-Hayford, journalist Dylan Jones, museum director Tim Marlow, Sotheby’s Europe chairman Helena Newman and artist Grayson Perry explore the importance of cultural exchange, regardless of its origin, in shaping London's rise as a creative powerhouse.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in June 2024.

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Imaginary Conversations: An ERDEM Collection, with Lady Burlington

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:13:00 -0000

In celebration of Imaginary Conversations: An ERDEM Collection inspired by Duchess Deborah, join British fashion journalist Charlie Porter in conversation with Erdem Moralıoğlu, Creative Director of ERDEM, and Lady Burlington. Together they will discuss Moralıoğlu's creative process in designing a collection inspired by Duchess Deborah, drawing upon the historic textile collection and archives at Chatsworth House, as well as the creation of Imaginary Conversations, an exhibition that showcases the inspiration, craft and tools involved in translating the life and legacy of an individual into a fully realised fashion collection.

Visit Imaginary Conversations: An ERDEM Collection inspired by Duchess Deborah at Chatsworth House until 20th October 2024.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in June 2024.

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Radical Modernity: From Bloomsbury to Charleston, with Kim Jones and Darren Clarke

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:13:00 -0000

In this episode, writer, academic and critic Frances Wilson is joined by Artistic Director of Dior Homme and Vice President of Charleston, Kim Jones, Dr Darren Clarke, Head of Collections, Research and Exhibitions at Charleston and Sotheby’s, and Jen Hardie, Director and Senior Specialist in Modern British & Irish Art at Sotheby’s in London, for a conversation about the indefatigable spirit of the Bloomsbury group and the renewed interest in their work and lives today, across paintings, drawings, furniture, ceramics and literature.

This podcast was originally recorded at Sotheby’s in London to celebrate Radical Modernity: From Bloomsbury to Charleston, a private selling and loan exhibition in collaboration with Charleston.

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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William Blake: Artist, Poet and Visionary, with Andrew Graham-Dixon and John Higgs

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:12:00 -0000

With a rare first edition of William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience about to go under the hammer, in this episode a panel of experts have come together for a conversation about the poet, artist and visionary. Chair and cultural critic Shahidha Bari is joined by art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon, cultural historian John Higgs and Sotheby’s Selby Kiffer to explore the enduring legacy of this enigmatic genius, whose influence stretches from the psychedelic counterculture of the 1960s through to the video games, novels and designer fashion of the 21st century.

This podcast was recorded at Sotheby’s London in June 2024.

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Lucian Freud and Portraits from Chatsworth, with Bella Freud

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:12:00 -0000

In this episode, director of the National Portrait Gallery and trustee of Chatsworth House Trust, Nicholas Cullinan, is joined by Bella Freud, daughter of artist Lucian Freud, for a conversation that examines the stories behind three portraits of the Devonshire family painted by Lucian Freud. These include the famous ‘Woman in a White Shirt’, which marked a turning point in the artist’s style.

This podcast was originally recorded live at Sotheby’s in June 2023, to coincide with the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery. An extended edition is available at Sothebys.com. And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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London: An Artistic Crossroads | Gallery Open House

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:12:00 -0000

We’re taking you along with us on this special podcast episode, where you’ll hear insights from the directors of each museum. These engaging discussions are a rare chance to uncover the unique narratives behind each work, celebrating London’s reputation as a multicultural melting pot of creativity. You can visit the exhibition at Sotheby’s London until 5th July 2024.

This podcast was originally recorded at Sotheby’s in London in June 2024 as part of the exhibition London: An Artistic Crossroads. Art UK is an art education charity and artuk.org is the online home for every public collection of art in the UK. To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Twentieth Century Design, with Julianne Moore

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:11:00 -0000

Julianne Moore is one of our greatest living actors: an Academy and Emmy award winner, and the first American woman to be awarded top acting prizes at the Cannes, Berlin and Venice film festivals. She is also an avid collector. In this episode, Julianne joins curator and author Glenn Adamson, curator Dakin Hart, gallerist Jean-Gabriel Mitterrand, and Sotheby’s Florent Jeanniard, for a conversation about 20th Century designers, including Isamu Noguchi and Claude Lalanne, and the role design plays in our lives.

To see the works discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended version of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/sothebys-talks/inspirational-living-important-design-with-julianne-moore

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Munch, with Tracey Emin

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:10:00 -0000

Edvard Munch pioneered Expressionism and embraced life’s most painful experiences to create art: his pursuit of emotional truth changed art forever. Tracey Emin, who has been a major figure in contemporary art for more than 25 years, has always been fascinated by the Norwegian master and, in 2021, she exhibited 25 of her own works alongside Munch’s oils and watercolours at the Royal Academy. In this episode originally recorded at Sotheby’s in London, Emin sat down with Sotheby’s Simon Shaw to talk about the role of women in Munch’s work and to explore why his paintings still have such a compelling hold on us today.

To see the works discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended version of this talk, visit https://sothebys.com/en/series/sothebys-talks/breathe-and-feel-suffer-and-love

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Jane Austen, with Helen Fielding and Gill Hornby

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:10:00 -0000

In this episode, which was originally recorded as a live event, we are joined by two literary icons for a conversation about the beloved 19th-century novelist Jane Austen. Helen Fielding is the creator of the multi-million selling Bridget Jones novels and films, and Gill Hornby is the author of the bestselling Miss Austen, and The Story of Jane Austen. Along with Dr. Kalika Sands, a specialist from Sotheby’s Books and Manuscripts department, Helen and Gill sat down at Sotheby’s in London for a conversation about the enduring appeal and contemporary significance of Jane Austen, and the impact she has had on their own life and work.

To listen to an extended edition of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/how-jane-austen-changed-my-life

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Shaping Taste and Shaping Society, with Paloma Picasso and Iwona Blazwick

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:09:00 -0000

There has never been a better time than now for women working in art, fashion and design. But female artists, gallerists, and collectors have always shaped taste, pushed patriarchal boundaries, and challenged orthodoxies to find ways of expressing themselves and championing the work of others. In this episode, originally recorded as a live event, Will Gompertz was joined at Sotheby’s in London by jewellery designer Paloma Picasso, art critic and 2024 Istanbul Biennale curator Iwona Blazwick, and Sotheby’s Emma Baker for a conversation about the past, present, and future of female creativity, and how women have influenced the art world as we know it today.

To see the works discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended version of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/sothebys-talks-celebrating-portraiture

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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The Rothko Chapel, with Christopher Rothko and Dr. David Anfam

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:09:00 -0000

In this episode, Professor Shahidha Bari is joined by Christopher Rothko, custodian of the Rothko legacy, Dr David Anfam, curator and writer, and Lisa Dennison, Sotheby’s Chairman of the Americas for a conversation about The Rothko Chapel for an inside glimpse into the history of the chapel, its ambitions for the future and the part it plays in Rothko’s ongoing legacy.

This podcast was originally recorded to mark the chapel’s 50th Anniversary, following restoration work to bring the space more in line with Rothko’s original vision.

To watch an extended edition of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/rothko-on-rothko

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Women and Power, with Mary Beard and Shahidha Bari

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:08:00 -0000

For millennia, female power has been portrayed, mediated and exerted through visual art. But to what extent have women been packaged to fit a male template? And how much have they been able to control their own image? In today’s episode, which was originally recorded as a live event at Sotheby’s in London, Sotheby’s specialist Holly Braine was joined by Britain’s best known classicist Mary Beard for a conversation about how Western culture has represented powerful women through the ages. They discuss sculptures of ancient goddesses like Aphrodite and Athena, depictions of Queen Elizabeth I as ‘Gloriana’, and contemporary portraits of cultural icons and politicians.

To see the works discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended version of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/sothebys-talks/women-and-power-how-have-powerful-women-been-represented-in-western-culture

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Living Heritage, with Olafur Eliasson and Hans Ulrich Obrist

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:08:00 -0000

In this episode, Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries Hans Ulrich Obrist moderated a conversation between philanthropist and Creative Director of Lopud 1483 Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, artist Olafur Eliasson and President and CEO of World Monuments Fund Bénédicte de Montlaur. Together they discussed Francesca’s restoration of the 15th-Century Franciscan monastery Lopud 1483 in Croatia. They also talked about the relationship between art, history and botany at Lopud, and the broader significance of rejuvenating neglected historical sites.

To see Lopud 1483, or to watch an extended version of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/videos/living-heritage-restoring-life-to-lopud-1483

To step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Image-Makers, with Mary McCartney and Sonia Boyce

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:07:00 -0000

The idea of the artist’s muse conjures up a glamorous but passive woman portrayed by a male artist. Yet many women who are commonly identified as muses have been talents in their own right; they are creatively inspired as well as sources of inspiration for others. In this episode, photographer Mary McCartney, Golden Lion prize-winning artist Sonia Boyce, and the Daily Telegraph’s fashion director Lisa Armstrong sat down at Sotheby’s in London for a conversation celebrating female creativity, and how women have used art, fashion and photography to reframe the role of women in art as both subject and image-maker.

To see the works discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended edition of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/women-in-art-from-image-to-image-maker

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Surrealism, with Celeste and Tim Marlow

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:07:00 -0000

In this episode, originally recorded at Sotheby’s in London, award-winning singer-songwriter Celeste is joined by Sotheby’s Helena Newman for a conversation about female surrealist artists, including Leonor Fini and Leonora Carrington, and the profound impact that their work – and the surrealism movement more broadly – has had on design and culture over the decades.

To see the works discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended version of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/sothebys-talks/contemporary-conversations-surrealism?locale=en

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

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Celebrating (Women) Artists, with Marina Abramović

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:07:00 -0000

Marina Abramović is one of our greatest living artists: an art world icon and a performance art pioneer. In 2023, Marina presented her solo exhibition After Life at the Royal Academy and became the first female artist in the institution’s 250-year history to fill the entire gallery space with her art. Will Gompertz was joined by Sotheby’s Marina Ruiz Colomer and Marina Abramović for a conversation about her life and work, and what it means to be a female artist more broadly.

To see Marina’s work discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended edition of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/sothebys-talks/contemporary-conversations-marina-abramovic

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Portraiture, with Simon Schama and Eleanor Nairne

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:06:00 -0000

Human beings have been making visual depictions of human life for tens of thousands of years. Fascination with our own likeness is one of the great constants of human history – and the portrait has long been the focus of that fascination. What can portraits tell us about the world? And what can they tell us about ourselves? In today’s episode – originally recorded live in Sotheby’s in the week that the National Portrait Gallery reopened in London – Helena Newman, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, sat down with Barbican Art Gallery curator Eleanor Nairne, and the award-winning art historian Simon Schama, for a conversation about the enduring power of the portrait.

To see any of the portraits discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended version of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/sothebys-talks-celebrating-portraiture

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women Artists in the City, with Lubaina Himid

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:06:00 -0000

In this episode, art historian and broadcaster Carrie Scott is joined by Turner Prize-winning artist and activist Lubaina Himid, writer Lauren Elkin and Head of Modern and Contemporary African Art at Sotheby’s Hannah O’Leary for a conversation exploring modern city life from the perspective of female artists. This podcast was originally a live event, time to highlight the touring exhibition Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City, curated by Himid, which features works from the Arts Council Collection.

To see the works discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended version of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/sothebys-talks/celebrating-women-artists-in-the-city-with-lubaina-himid

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Artemisia Gentileschi, with Katy Hessel and Letizia Treves

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:06:00 -0000

In this episode, art historian Katy Hessel is joined by former National Gallery London curator Letizia Treves and Sotheby’s Edoardo Roberti for a conversation about the pioneering 17th-century artist Artemisia Gentileschi, whose work – in which she painted subjects that were traditionally the preserve of male artists, and intended for the male gaze – has inspired some of the greatest female artists of our time.

This podcast was originally recorded to celebrate the opening of the National Gallery’s exhibition ‘Artemisia’, which ran from October 2020 to January 2021, and was sponsored by Sotheby’s.

To see the works discussed in this episode, or to watch an extended edition of this talk, visit https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/sothebys-talks/museum-spotlight-artemisia-gentileschi-the-greatest-female-painter-of-the-17th-century

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Impressionism and its Legacy

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:06:00 -0000

In this episode, Helen Newman, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe is joined by Paul Signac’s great granddaughter Charlotte Hellman, artist Erik Madigan Heck, and the National Gallery’s Christopher Riopelle for a conversation about the revolutionary impact made by the Impressionists.

This podcast was originally recorded at Sotheby’s in London in February 2024 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Impressionism.

And, to step further into the world of Sotheby’s, you can visit any of our galleries around the world; they’re open to the public. For more information, visit sothebys.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices