Confidence in the art market improved heading into 2026, according to the latest Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report by economist Clare McAndrew. By the end of 2025, 43 percent of art dealers expected sales to improve in the coming year, up 10 percentage points from the previous survey. Still, the survey’s findings reveal patchy recovery as rising costs and ongoing trade barriers prove trying for galleries.
Alma Allen, Not Yet Titled (2024). Photo: Charlie Rubin. Courtesy of the artist and Kasmin, New York.
Plus, the Van Gogh Museum has acquired a rare 19th-century painting by French artist Virginie Demont-Breton at TEFAF Maastricht. And sculptor Alma Allen has joined Perrotin‘s roster ahead of his Venice Biennale debut, after parting ways with his previous two galleries.
For more need-to-know intel, subscribe now to The Back Room, our lively recap funneling only the week’s must-know intel into a nimble read you’ll actually enjoy delivered straight to your inbox every Friday.



