MM Art Indices Found Global Art Market Shows Signs of Synchronized Recovery in Spring 2026 Auctions After Post-Pandemic Correction
MM Art Indices Found Global Art Market Shows Signs of Synchronized Recovery in Spring 2026 Auctions After Post-Pandemic Correction
PR Newswire
BEIJING and MILAN, July 17, 2026
BEIJING and MILAN, July 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The global art market showed signs of synchronized recovery in Spring 2026, with Chinese art, Impressionist art and Contemporary art indices all rising in the same auction season, according to the latest MM Art Indices released by Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) in partnership with SDA Bocconi School of Management.
Led by CKGSB Professor of Finance Jianping Mei, the indices provide one of the world's most comprehensive quantitative analyses of global art market performance. The report found that the MM Chinese Art Price Index rose 1.7% in Spring 2026, while Impressionist Art rebounded 15.0% and Contemporary Art gained 10.8%. The simultaneous increase points to renewed confidence across major segments of the global auction market after several years of post-pandemic correction.
Chinese art remains the strongest long-term performer among the major categories tracked. Since 2000, the MM Chinese Art Price Index has risen from a base value of 1 to 6.83, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7.8%, compared with 3.5% for Impressionist Art and 4.8% for Contemporary Art.
The rebound follows a deep adjustment in Chinese art prices, which fell 52.7% from their 2020 peak amid the pandemic, China's economic transition and a global art market downturn. The Spring 2026 Auctions data suggest that prices are beginning to stabilize, while the MM Chinese Art Sentiment Index continued to improve from Autumn 2025 and is now nearing its historical average.
"The Spring 2026 auction season suggests that confidence is returning to parts of the global art market," said Professor Mei. "At the same time, the data show that the recovery is uneven."
That unevenness is most visible among Chinese art. Within the MM Chinese Art Indices, Contemporary Art rose 18.6% and Oil Painting jumped 21.9%, while Modern Art declined 4.7% and Ink Painting fell 4.0%, indicating a more selective market favoring internationally recognized and liquid categories.
European Country Art Price Indices also strengthened. France rose 24.7%, the UK gained 18.5% and Germany increased 6.0%, while Italy slipped 3.2%.
The report also found global contemporary art sentiment strengthened sharply in Spring 2026, with a significant correlation with the Chinese art sentiment, underscoring the increasingly connected nature of global art market cycles.
SOURCE Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)
The articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.
Morningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.
Morningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.
Popular
September Stock Market Outlook: How to Position Your Portfolio During a Risky Stage
3 Stocks to Sell and 3 Stocks to Buy for September
Worried About a Stock Market Bubble? Here Are 5 Ways to Stay Invested
TIPS Look Tempting. Should You Buy?
United States