Sotheby’s recently released an Insight Report on Women Artists, highlighting key trends in the art market, from auction sales to institutional acquisitions. In recent years, women artists have been gaining recognition and support from collectors and institutions alike, shining a spotlight on talent that has been historically marginalised and underrepresented. While there has been an increase in representation of women artists across all time periods, contemporary artists have driven much of the growth. Below is a summary of some of the key trends and findings from the report, revealing how women artists are shaping the art market. 

 

Tamara De Lempicka, Portrait de Romana de la Salle, 1928

 

1)        RECORD BREAKING RECOGNITION

2024 saw record-breaking representation for women artists with 1,148 women artists represented at major auctions across the year. This marks the highest number of women artists in the auction market, as well as a 131.9% increase from the number of women artists represented at auction in 2018. The presence of women artists at auction provides a glimpse into the immense growth that the market for works by women artists is experiencing, and the increasing collector demand. 

 

2)        MARKED GROWTH ACROSS GENERATIONS OF ARTISTS 

Contemporary and Young Contemporary women artists saw the most significant growth in representation, accounting for 82% of all women artists at auction in 2024. However, there was still notable growth across all generations between 2018 and 2024, with Impressionists up 18.2%, Modern up 56.4% and Post-War up 69.6%. Contemporary and Young Contemporary did see exponential growth with Contemporary up 103.2% and Young Contemporary up 290%. This is particularly exciting as we can see new artists entering the market and an increase in representation for younger women artists. 

 

Lisa Brice, After Embah, 2018

 

3)        STRONGER SALES PERFORMANCES

Recent years have signalled stronger performances from women artists, with guarantees hitting 78.3% in early 2025. This sees an increase from 55% in 2024 and 30.1% in 2018.  The average price of works at auction have also increased from $222,957 in 2024 to $268,888 in early 2025. Steady demand from buyers can also be inferred from the sell through rate remaining at 85.1%.

 

4)        GROWING SPACE FOR WOMEN ARTISTS IN MUSEUMS 

Alongside commercial growth and recognition, women artists have noted an increase in presence institutionally, with a number of major institutions channeling acquisitions and major exhibitions toward these artists from across the world. 50% of solo shows at the Tate and 54% at the MoMA were by women artists, of which 86% focused on contemporary voices. Regarding acquisitions, 37.5% of the works bought by Tate and the MoMA were by women, with Contemporary making up 12.1% of these. However, one of the standout findings from museum trends was the increase in institutional support for artists from the Global South. Between 2018 and 2025, 30.8% of all solo exhibitions at both museums were by women artists from the Global South; the report also notes that there seemed to be notable growth from 2016. Trends within institutions highlight the overall push toward amplifying marginalised voices, providing these artists a spotlight to showcase and celebrate their practices. 

 

5)        BROAD SUPPORT ACROSS ALL PRICE SEGMENTS 

While the $1M+ segment remains a driver in sales, there has been demand for works across the board. Between 2018 and 2024, the sale of works by women artists under $50,000 increased by 147.2%, while the $50,000 -$1,000,000 segment saw an increase of 157% in the number of lots sold by women artists. The growth within the mid-market sectors across the years indicate the ascension of women artists through the market.

 

6)        RESILIENCE IN TOP PRICE SEGMENTS

Leading on from this, the market for women artists has remained resilient in the top price segments. Between 2018 and 2024, the $1M+ segment also saw growth of 170% from 27 to 46 artists. In 2024, 65.6% of the total value of sales were attributed to 4.7% of all lots by women artists. Within the first 5 months of 2025, 53 lots sold above $1 million, of which 10 were above $5 million. Top artists in this category include Yayoi Kusama, Leonora Carrington, Joan Mitchell, and Marlene Dumas.

 

Joan Mitchell, Noon, c. 1969

 

Overall, the main trend is that of growth, whether through increased recognition within the institutional space or commercial growth as shown by increases in sales at auction. The report acknowledges the willingness of collectors to invest in works by women artists and the promising returns that have been seen in recent years. On average, works by women artists saw a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1% between 2021 and 2025, with an average holding period of 14.2 years. As of early 2025, the average CAGR for works by women artists is 14%, with particularly strong resale performances by Post-War artists. This report provides insightful analysis into the shifting position of women artists within the art market, highlighting this pivotal time and the way the art world is amplifying women’s voices and championing their previously underrepresented talent.