The Origins sale and exhibition takes place in Saudi Arabia.
Sotheby’s has announced Origins, an auction taking place in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. On 31 January 2026, the sale will bring together more than 70 works by leading Middle Eastern and international artists. Ahead of the auction, a free public exhibition will be held at Bujairi Terrace, running until 24 January.
Sotheby’s is committed to supporting the region’s rapidly evolving cultural landscape. Origins coincides with the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and precedes the inaugural Art Basel Doha in February. The sale spans a wide range of categories, including ancient sculpture, 20th-century design and prints, Middle Eastern art, and modern and contemporary works.
Highlights include a rare 1968 painting by Safeya Binzagr, widely regarded as the mother of contemporary Saudi art, alongside an important Horizonism work by Mohammed Al Saleem and Demonstration by Iraqi modernist Mahmoud Sabri. The sale also features key works by Samia Halaby and Ahmed Morsi.
Fans of international names are also well catered for, thanks to works by Pablo Picasso, Anish Kapoor, Andy Warhol and Jean Dubuffet included in the sale. Further highlights include seven works by Roy Lichtenstein from the personal collection of Dorothy and Roy Lichtenstein, as well as a study for a painting commissioned by Gianni Versace.
One of the standout lots is Warhol’s complete 1978 screenprint suite of Muhammad Ali. Warhol first photographed Ali using a Polaroid camera and was drawn to the boxer’s power and presence, famously declaring: “Athletes are the new movie stars.”
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GO: Visit www.sothebys.com for more information.