Gerhard Richter "Abstraktes Bild" Leads Christie's Hong Kong Sales

Summary

• Christie’s is officially kicking off its 20th/21st Century Spring 2026 Auctions at its new Asia Pacific headquarters at The Henderson in Hong Kong

• Making its highly anticipated auction debut, Gerhard Richter’s powerful 1991 “Abstraktes Bild” headlines the Evening Sale with an estimated value of up to $13,000,000 USD

• The blockbuster lineup includes major works from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Sanyu, Pablo Picasso, and Impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Christie’s is bringing a string of heavy hitters to Hong Kong Art Week. Celebrating its massive 40th Anniversary in Asia, the world-leading auction house is preparing to host its highly anticipated 20th/21st Century Spring Auctions at The Henderson. Anchoring the historic Evening Sale is a legendary piece of contemporary art: Gerhard Richter‘s “Abstraktes Bild,” making its debut on the auction block. Surrounded by an elite roster of global heavyweights—including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Sanyu, and David Hockney—this auction is poised to be a monumental event for high-end collectors.

Taking center stage for the Evening Sale on March 27, Gerhard Richter’s “Abstraktes Bild” is officially making its auction debut. Painted in 1991—the exact same year as the German artist’s landmark retrospective at the Tate in London—the incandescent work is incredibly rare due to its dominant, radiant fields of red paint. Showcasing Richter’s masterful squeegee technique to build deep, tonal layers, the piece carries a staggering estimate of $10,000,000 USD to $13,000,000 USD.

Sanyu’s scarcely seen “Cheval agenouillé sur un tapis” (Kneeling Horse on Carpet) is also appearing at auction for the first time, carrying an estimate of $3,600,000 USD to $6,200,000 USD. Fusing Eastern symbolism with Western circus culture, it is one of only nine known works by the artist to depict a circus subject. Meanwhile, Walter Spies’ breathtaking “Blick Von Der Höhe” (A View From the Heights) is fully expected to shatter the artist’s world auction record, hitting the block with an estimate of $6,200,000 USD to $8,700,000 USD.

Rounding out the exceptional contemporary offerings, the Evening and Day Sales feature an incredible 1981 “Untitled” oilstick and acrylic piece by Jean-Michel Basquiat (estimated up to $3,600,000 USD), alongside a signature 1993 “Pumpkin” canvas from Yayoi Kusama (estimated up to $5,100,000 USD). Fans of modern masters will also have the chance to bid on major works from Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, and Zao Wou-Ki.

The preview exhibition is currently free and open to the public from March 24 through March 27 at The Henderson in Hong Kong, giving art enthusiasts a rare chance to see these masterworks in person before they go under the hammer.