Rare $10,000 Paul Jacoulet print Modern Japanese Beauty was the top lot in the Japanese Art Auction. Courtesy of Eldred's Auction Facebook.

Each month, the artnet Price Database tracks the most popular artists at auction, record-breaking works, and trends on what and how to collect. From Pablo Picasso’s enduring appeal to auction results that matter, we find what people are searching for, and why.

Read on for five findings, including the top three selling artists at auction, that will surprise you from the Price Database.

A Pair of Paintings of Courtesans
Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Saturday at Sotheby’s: Asian Art
September 17, 2016

 

Pablo Picasso held the top spot as the most searched artist on artnet in August—proving his enduring popularity once again.

The top three artists with the highest selling sales totals were:
Ruth Whittier Shute — $458,598 with a 100% sell-through rate
William Wendt — $431,750 with a 100% sell-through rate
Edgar Alwin Payne — $416,500 with a 80% sell-through rate

The most popular artist at auction was Paul Jacoulet with 71 lots—70 of which were offered by a single auction house, Eldred’s Auction Gallery.

Beijing Hanhai Auction Co., Ltd. had the highest number of lots offered with a staggering total of 788. They also had the highest sales total at $4,140,530 with a 72% sell-through rate.

Coinciding with Fall Asia Week, Saturday at Sotheby’s: Asian Art on September 17 will offer more than 300 spectacular Chinese, Japanese, and Korean works. Mark your calendars because this is one sale you won’t want to miss.

 

The busy auction season is soon upon us! Let artnet be your source for up-to-the-minute art market information. To get insider access to data about the artists and auctions you care about, subscribe to the Price Database today.