James Christie and the Art of the Auction

Christie’s today is synonymous with the world of fine art and luxury. The leading business of its kind globally, it boasts a physical presence in 46 countries, with more than 80 categories at price points that can reach well over $100 million. The firm has sold seven of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history and achieved the world-record price for an artwork at auction — da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi. 

So who started it all? 

The History 

The auction house is named after its founder, the Scottish auctioneer James Christie (1730 to 1803). Christie founded the business in London in 1766, with its first sale at rooms in London’s famed Pall Mall area. Though only featuring modest household items, this initial auction jumpstarted the brand. By 1767, Christie had progressed to a coveted collection of Italian, French and Flemish paintings, while the 1770s saw famed auctions, from the sale of paintings from the Houghton Hall collection of Robert Walpole to those of Russian empress Catherine the Great. By the time of his death in 1803, Christie had become London’s foremost auctioneer. 

The Man 

Born in 1730 to a modest family in Perth, Scotland, James Christie was renowned for his professional enthusiasm and eloquence. 

Following a short navy career, he moved to London and gained employment at an auction house in Covent Garden, before obtaining the necessary experience and funds to venture out on his own. 

Christie’s success was partly due to his own talents at courting a network of dealers, agents and cultural intelligentsia. He counted amongst his friends such luminaries as David Garrick, Joshua Reynolds, Horace Walpole and Thomas Gainsborough, with the latter even going on to paint a celebrated portrait of the auctioneer in 1778. 

The Spectacle 

James Christie is the man who turned the mundane auction into the show that it is today, aiming for collectors among not only the wealthy and titled, but also the rapidly growing middle classes. 

His auctions included a made-to-measure desk for his stage by the renowned Thomas Chippendale — a revolutionary scene at the time. Combined with his verbal eloquence and enthusiasm, his sales soon became celebrated social events, his performances utter showmanship. 

The Business 

From organising openings and receptions to acquiring shares in newspapers and pioneering auction advertising, Christie’s stood at the forefront of innovation in the auction world. Major auctions during his lifetime included those the contents of Joshua Reynolds’ studio, Madame du Barry’s famed jewellery collection, and more. 

Today, Christie’s continues to occupy the leading spot at the forefront of auction innovation, not only via traditional fine art and luxury categories from Old Masters paintings to high-end watches, but also in the world of NFTs via such ventures as the groundbreaking Christie’s 3.0 platform and the Art+Tech Summit.