2025: another record year for the art market! The Artmark report indicates a growth of more than 11% from 2024

In a recessionary economic context, where people are looking more than ever for safe, intelligent refuges, the art market confirms its role in the process of cultural and financial hoarding. The results obtained in 2025 by Artmark Grup, which operates in three countries (Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria), where it is the leader of the art market, proves, once again, that art remains a heritage asset with liquidity, memory and lasting value.

In the year just ended, Artmark achieved total sales, through art auctions, of 15.31 million Euros — through 59 auction events. It is an increase of over 11% compared to 2024 (when a total of 13.78 million Euros was obtained).

In Romaniacumulative sales totaled 12.8 million Euros (compared to 12.7 million Euros in 2024). A small but positive development, consisting of an increase of 0.8%, significant in relation to the more difficult economic climate of 2025. And the adjudication rate remained robust, at over 70% of the number of lots put up for sale, which reconfirms the constant appetite of the educated public for cultural goods of heritage value.

The two subsidiaries of the Artmark group in Eastern Europe have recorded higher growth (normal compared to the time of the infrastructural and modernization process of these art markets, which started recently): Croatia – 1.81 million Euros and Bulgaria – 2.23 million Euros, in 2025 (by 69.16%, respectively by 63.97% more compared to 2024).

Here are the most important records achieved in the Artmark auctions of 2025:

• Record of the year for Nicolae Grigorescu (“Sleeping Nymph”) — 330,000 Euros)
• Record of the year for Nicolae Tonitza (“La Balcic”) — 160,000 Euros
• Record of the year for Theodor Aman (“Lilac on Green Satin”) — 115,000 Euros
• Croatian Art Record of the Year: Vlaho Bukovac (“Pictures”) — 90,000 Euros
• Bulgarian Art Record of the Year: Jaroslav Věšín (“Hunting scene near Sofia) — 82,500 Euros
• Record of the year for Ion Tuculescu (“Those who walk”) — 120,000 Euros
• Record of the year for a living Romanian artist: Ştefan Câlţia (“Actors”) — 62,500 Euros
• Record of the year for a Bulgarian contemporary: Ivan Vukadinov (“Church”) — 25,000 Euros
• Record of the year for a Yugoslav contemporary: Ljubo Ivančić (“Rainy Landscape”) — 25,000 Euros
• Engraving Record of the Year: Francisco Goya (“The Engagement”engraving received as a gift by Nicolae Ceaușescu from the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I) — 18,000 Euros
• Record of the year for a historical photo: Mihai Eminescu (after the cliché of Jan Tomas from Prague, in 1880) — 5,000 Euros
• The absolute record for a Romanian icon: “The Mother of God with the Child”, by Nicolae Grigorescu — 90,000 Euros
• Record of the year for icon on the glass: “The Terrible Last Judgment” (attributed to Matei Țâmforea, from Cârtisoara, 1884) — 8,000 Euros
• Record of the year for o icon on wood: “The Mother of God with the Child (Lady of the Angels)” (by Costandin Zugravul, Brancove school) — 40,000 Euros
• Record of the year for an old book: Colleague with “Dacia”by János Bethlen, and “History of Dacia or Transylvania”, by Johannes Tröster (German edition, Nuremberg, 1666) — 5,500 Euros
• Record of the year for a modern book: “Poems”, by Mihai Eminescufirst edition (Bucharest, 1884) — 6,000 Euros
• Record of the year for a medal: Gabriel Bethlen Medalissued on the occasion of the coronation as King of Hungary, 1620 — 4,250 Euro
• Record of the year for a coin: Ducat, Matei Corvin (approx. 1482-1489, minted at Baia Mare, gold) — 8,000 Euros
• Record of the year for military: Katana swordsigned Masahiro (from the beginning of the Edo period) — 8,000 Euros
• Record of the year for a watch: Rolex DayDate watchin pink gold, with diamonds – 45,000 Euros
• Record of the year for a gem: Splendid platinum ring, decorated with a 4.5 ct solitaire diamond – 37,688 Euros
• Purse Record of the Year: Impressive ball purse in white and yellow golddecorated with a crown of diamonds – 24,000 Euros
• Record of the year for a bottle of wine: Petrus, Pomerol, 20191st x 1.5l, collector's item, in the original and sealed box – 5,000 Euros
• Record of the year for a bottle of whisky: Macallan Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky53 years old – 18,000 Euros
• Record of the year for decorative art: Henri Houdebine fireplace insertLouis XV style – 5,000 Euros
• Record of the year for art furniture: Art Nouveau desk and table setParis, dated 1899 – 7,000 Euros
• Record of the year for a piece of mineralogy: Lot of gold nuggets of high purity (probably 24K)approx. 295g – 21,000 Euros

The start of 2026 preserves a defining tradition for the House A10 by Artmark! The first auction of the New Year (titled “Liquidation Auction of the Heritage of a Bucharest Gallery”) offers the single starting price of only 100 Euros, without reserves, for all works. Under the brand “Inn with Tei 1833”this type of event is a constant plea for accessibility, the formation of new collections and the vitality of the market. Also in January, Artmark dedicates an important space to lovers of European graphics — the titled event “In the land of fantasy” brings to the portfolio works of famous people Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, René Magritte and Marc Chagall.

Both January events will be held exclusively online on Artmark Live platformTuesday (January 27), respectively Wednesday (January 28), from 12:00 p.m. – all those who have accounts on artmark.ro or open accounts online, for free, here. But the exhibitions can be accessed, as usual, not only on the artmark.ro website, but also at Cesianu-Racovița Palace (from str. CA Rosetti no. 5 — Bucharest). The entrance is always free, daily (from Monday to Sunday), from 10.00 to 20.00.

Article supported by A10 by Artmark