"Then What ??," a 172cm tall oil on canvas, by Louay Kayyali (1965), estimate $500,000-$700,000, is part of Origins, Sotheby's inaugural Saudi auction taking place in Diriyah. (Sotheby's)
Sotheby's, the world's premier destination for art and luxury, will bring down the hammer on some 100 lots on Saturday in an unprecedented event that will mark the first ever international auction in Saudi Arabia's history.
Titled 'Origins,' the auction will present an array of Sotheby's global offerings for both new and seasoned collectors.
The two-part evening auction will comprise a sale of fine art by both home-grown Saudi artists alongside the leading names in international art history, digital art, and a showcase of all that luxury encompasses, including jewellery, watches, sports memorabilia and handbags.
Open to the public, the contents of 'Origins' are currently being showcased in a free exhibition in Diriyah's Bujairi Terrace, in a week-long celebration of art, luxury and culture. This coincides with Diriyah Season, the annual themed festival that brings the cultural heritage of Diriyah to life through a captivating array of events and experiences, and is complemented by the world-class retail and dining experiences in Bujairi Terrace.
Today, Diriyah is at the centre of the kingdom's evolution into a top international cultural hub, and has played host to a plethora of dynamic, vibrant and high-profile events since its opening whilst remaining deeply committed to conservation efforts.
Fittingly, the auction itself will also take place in Diriyah, the ancestral heart of the nation that today stands as a world-class cultural hub and international centre for arts. With its 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif nearby, the historic setting perfectly reflects and enhances the offering of this inaugural auction.