The global art market displayed coordinated rebound signals during Spring 2026, as Chinese art, Impressionist art and Contemporary art indices all advanced in the same season, according to the newest MM Art Indices issued by Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) together with SDA Bocconi School of Management.

Under the leadership of CKGSB Professor of Finance Jianping Mei, the indices deliver one of the most extensive quantitative evaluations of worldwide art market results. The findings showed the MM Chinese Art Price Index climbed 1.7 percent in Spring 2026, while Impressionist Art recovered 15.0 percent and Contemporary Art rose 10.8 percent. This joint advance signals renewed buyer confidence across key segments of the global auction scene after multiple years of post-pandemic adjustment.

Chinese art continues to lead in long-term gains among the tracked categories. Since 2000, the MM Chinese Art Price Index has grown from a base of 1 to 6.83, reflecting a compound annual growth rate near 7.8 percent, versus 3.5 percent for Impressionist Art and 4.8 percent for Contemporary Art.

The upturn follows a sharp correction in Chinese art values, which dropped 52.7 percent from their 2020 high amid pandemic effects, China's economic shifts and a broader market slowdown. Spring 2026 auction results indicate prices are stabilizing, while the MM Chinese Art Sentiment Index improved further from Autumn 2025 and now approaches its long-term average.

"The Spring 2026 auction season indicates confidence is returning to sections of the global art market," Professor Mei noted. "At the same time, the figures reveal the recovery remains uneven."

That uneven pattern appears most clearly in Chinese art. Within the MM Chinese Art Indices, Contemporary Art advanced 18.6 percent and Oil Painting surged 21.9 percent, whereas Modern Art fell 4.7 percent and Ink Painting declined 4.0 percent, pointing to a selective market that favors internationally recognized and liquid segments.

European Country Art Price Indices also gained ground. France rose 24.7 percent, the UK increased 18.5 percent and Germany advanced 6.0 percent, while Italy eased 3.2 percent.

The report further noted that global contemporary art sentiment strengthened markedly in Spring 2026, showing a notable link with Chinese art sentiment and highlighting the growing interconnection of worldwide art market cycles.

SOURCE Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)